Hi Tommy - I have a black screen ACER Aspire. Obviously not portable - I use a desktop monitor plugged at the rear.

I access it via F8 - VGA mode - I use it for Skype primarily. Only problem with the desktop monitor is that when you enable VGA you're stuck in 640x480 - the machine won't let you adjust that large resolution - but I still can use Skype.

Perhaps that solution might work depending on what you need it for.
Apparently on the ACER its the LCD board that's shot - it's an ACER weakness.
I'd like a new one but I'm in your situation.
What's that country song . . . . "Too much month at the end of the money"

Happy hunting.

Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.