No -- not the old black screen of death. A different one...

Two days ago my laptop had a change of heart and decided to deny me the use of the screen. No battery problem. Not a problem with the screen. The computer starts up just fine... but then after the Windows logo flashes for a moment the screen takes its bat and ball and goes home. Black.

I know that it goes to the password page, because if I type in my password then the computer hums, wurs and whistles (computer speak for "I'm on now"). But I can't see anything. Which is bad.

Strangely, if I start the laptop in safe mode the screen doesn't go on strike and life is peachy. Except that i'm stuck in safe mode.

I'm fairly tech-dumb (at least compared to who I assume frequent these forums). I assume it is some sort of windows xp problem, or something to do with drivers or perhaps some form of ancient black magick spell cast on my computer from the love child of Anton Levay and the Meravigian decendants.

Whatever it is, it has left me somewhat meloncholy and I would be very full of thanks and awe if some bright spark could come to my rescue. If you wanted to tell me directly (or send hate-mail), my e-mail is john_humphreys99@hotmail.com. Thanks!