Shut it down for the night. Machine boots ok, and if I get my nose very close to screen I can make out what is on the screen, but if you sit at normal range the screen looks black. (it is duhhhhh.) anyhow I have not tried connecting to another monitor as I am sure that will work, but that defeats the laptop.
I have tried the Fn/F8 keys and it is evidently set normal. I could see it in control panel and all looked normal.

Sound like the monitor needs replaced?