Gateway 450rog laptop -- Just not starting up

[Zylstra]

I have, rather my sister, a Gateway 450ROG laptop.

This particular series has quite a few common problems with the video card and the main power unit inside the laptop...

Anyways, here is what was happening:
The computer would stay on for a variable amount of time before the screen would go all "whack-o" and the computer would either just freeze up or restart.

I ruled out a problem with Windows, since this happened while in the BIOS as well. It seems to be a video card problem.

Also, frequently on the computer startup, the fans would stay on for an abnormal amount of time with a blank screen and no hard drive indicators going. It seemed that, if you moved the laptop around at this point, it would continue to start up.

Narrowing it down to a video card problem: (does not explain abnormal startup time)
The computer does weird things to the display when the LCD monitor is moved back and forth.

I disassembled the laptop and checked the cable detaching the LCD screen entirely from the laptop. Cables were tight, but the main cable to the monitor seemed like it has been under a lot of stress... it looks like it was kind of wedged into the peg thingy that covers the hinges of the screen.

Reassembled the computer, checked for any loose screws by shaking it a bit, put in the battery, and tried to start up.
Nothing.
Connected the AC adapter
Nothing.
Opened the power button and LED panel and manually pressed the button
Nothing.

What am I missing?

[Zylstra]

Laptops never introduced failsafe switches, did they? (eg. Won't start up until a certain switch or connection is intact)

Or any specialized power diagnostics?

[Gremlin]

dnt like to state the obvious but could be that the video cable is damaged from being pinned under the hinge.

[Zylstra]

Yeah, that's what I did figure, but I don't think that it would prevent the rest of the computer from starting up... I suppose if it short-circuited it could, but even then I see that as kind of being unlikely.

Then again, it is an older Gateway laptop... those alone have enough problems.

[Gremlin]

Yes I see your point.