My monitor is blank when the computer turns on. I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 (laptop). The power light is on, and I can hear the fan spinning. Connected an external monitor (hit Function/F8), and it doesn's work either. Not really sure what could cause this, except maybe the video card, and I am not exactly sure where it is. Any help would be appreciated.

The video card that you speak of is integrated on the mother board of the laptop. You probably cannot get it serviced independently of the entire motherboard.

It may be the video contacts between the board and the screen. The hinges on those laptops lend themselves to faulty operations after use. This might not be the only issue if your external monitor does not work either.

If the laptop is still under warranty I would have it checked out. Either way you need to have a certified repair center take a look at it because it's either the motherboard or the contacts or both.