I had a similar bug a few weeks ago with my newer desktop and a widescreen ASUS monitor.
After moving the monitor for a cleaning job, I got a black screen after re-booting my computer.
Because that monitor came with only very limited installation instructions, I was not aware of an input button menu for the input signals at the left of the power button. (under the screen)
I must have hit that button while moving the monitor(in sleep mode) before disconnecting it. After searching the net with my old computer, I found a post suggesting slowly going through all the input settings until the screen would "light up".
And yes, the signal input had been moved from DVI to HDMI.
Got my screen back when passing over the setting " DVI input ".
Do laptops have a similar input signals button ?