Hi,
I have also been getting this problem recently, am running debian squeeze.
Linux version 2.6.32-trunk-686 (Debian 2.6.32-5)
(gcc version 4.3.4 (Debian 4.3.4-6) ) #1
SMP Sun Jan 10 06:32:16 UTC 2010
My hardware
Intel 945GM Chipset
Sony Viao VGN-G2AAPS
Note: if I plug an external monitor in then the external monitor works
despite the laptop screen having turned and remaining blank.
Also I am able to Ctrl-Alt F? to a terminal.