When i started up my laptop the compaq logo appeared as normal however, once that came on the screen went completely blank. The laptop carried on loading xp because i can hear it and the power light flashes. Also when i move the mouse around the blank screen and clicked about, i can log in to xp and it all sounds like its loading fine.

I have managed to get the screen to flick on for about a minute once, and i noticed my antivirus was removed and my internet connection was gone. I have tried restore but it does not work.
Any ideas?

The symptoms in your first paragraph indicate a graphics problem. A defective LCD, cable or grahics adapter could be the cause.

The second paragraph would appear to be something entirely different (a virus?). The fact that both symptoms show up at the same time is very strange.

By trying a restore, do you mean a Compaq restore or a windows System Restore?

Fn and F4 or F5 toggles the graphics display between screen and external monitor connection

Walter, that sounds like a likely fix. By the way, have you ever seen that movie about your life, the one starring Danny Kaye? :-)

max00, yes seen the film, it is ancient like me....

Heh heh, me too!