Laptop black when external display plugged in, #2 display also dark.

This happens as soon as the VGA adapter is plugged in. Unplugging it does not turn the laptop screen back on. Toggling with the function keys does nothing. Since I cannot see anything I cannot try to adjust/correct display settings (or do anything for that matter, other than turn the laptop off by holding power key down).

The second display works (tested with a different laptop).

History: The external display worked fine with this laptop. We had a power failure yesterday which turned it off. The screen toggled to the laptop successfully (or I did, with the function keys--I don't remember) and I continued working. When power returned I started running into this issue. I reinstalled the display drivers from the original manufacturer disc but the problem persists.

msi A4000, Celeron dual Core T3100, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
NVIDIA® MCP79MVL, GeForce® 8200M G, Shared
External display: Acer LCD, AL 1916C

To shut down properly hit the Winkey, then the right arrow, then Enter.

This may be as simple as capacitors overcharged.

1. Shut down, unplug, remove battery. Hold power button down for 20 secs.
2. Do same for monitor.
3. Then try.

Thank you Paul, I guess that was it, your solution worked perfectly.

I also appreciate finding out about shutting down properly.