Amanda, connect an external monitor and see what it does. If an external monitor displays correctly, you know that you are having a working GPU ( graphic processor is part of your motherboard) Without actually seeing your screen, it does sound like a bad inverter or bad CCFL's in your LCD panel. Download the service manual from the bottom of [https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Compaq_Presario_CQ57|this page.] I would replace the inverter first (less expensive) if that does not work replace the LCD panel. Should your external monitor not show anything or behave like your LCD display, you are having GPU issues and this would require a motherboard repair. Hope this helps, good luck