Precision M4400 with Vista - display disabled somehow, can't get it on

Hi, ya'll. I'm trying to help my 65 yr old dad with his laptop but now I need help b/c apparently i'm just as inept :(

so his 4400 was put to sleep and the lid closed and now the display doesn't work. Seemed like sticky keys at first b/c the annoying robot narrator was making announcements, e.g., "if i push a button more than once, it won't work" or whatever. 

So I googled the problem, no luck. Restarted of course, no luck. Then plugged in an extra monitor and the laptop is working (via the monitor), it's definitely just the display. 

I went into Ease of Access and sticky keys wasn't even on, but i clicked around and then turned it back off just to be sure. no luck.  I tried the Fn+ F8 (the projector button), no luck. I took out the battery, I restarted, everything I could think of to make it re-set. no luck

can someone please help this old fogey??

thank you :)