Blank backlit screen but MPC seems to work otherwise

Bought MPC 4000 used of eBay. Powered it up and blank screen.
Searched this forum and followed advice. Took out RAM. Blank screen after reboot.
Disconnected internal disk. Blank screen after reboot. Reseated RAM. Blank screen after
reboot. Reseated white ribbon for display on the main board. Did I mention the blank screen?

The kicker is that I was able to connect over USB using my Mac and do successful OS
updates (well - according to the software since I can not see what happens after pushing GLOBAL-F6-F5).
AkSys also works since I can connect to the internal disk in the MPC and browse files that the previous
owner saved.

Used the service manual to disassemble the sides and open up the MPC. However, is it necessary to disassemble the display unit to check that the ribbon cable is properly seated on at the display itself?

Any other suggestions I can try to get this damn display working?

Finally, if it has to come to this, is there a MPC repair shop in Europe that anyone can recommend.

It was always a gamble to buy a used older MPC 4000 but this is what I decided after seeing a totally plastic toy-like MPC 2500 in the shop. The new MPCs are not built to last like the older ones.

Can you hear sounds coming out of the mpc? I know you'd be working blind, but just to make sure it is infact just the screen?

If you need a step by step process for how to load a sound blind, let me know, I'll write one out.

Also, turn off all the lights, turn on the mpc and see if you can see a REALLY faint image on the lcd. If you can, the back light is out on your lcd, it's not the screen or the ribbon or the pcb or any of that. I dunno the part model, but you can look it up and really should be able to find a comparable lcd at a decent hardware store, I would imagine (check this out, I've not done this on an mpc specifically, so there is a slight chance it'll be a different procedure) If not, you've probably got your work cut out for you. Ordering another lcd for the mpc shouldn't be hard to find (but I'm in the states, I dunno about getting parts in Europe), i'd start there. You can always just try replacing the ribbon, which would be cheaper, but if it doesn't work your out the cash for the ribbon (which shouldnt be much), and if you buy the lcd I can't imagine it doesn't come with a replacement ribbon.

Thanks for your response.

Will try to see if there is any sound coming out of the audio outputs.

Another thing to check is the ribbon cable end that attaches to the display unit.

Otherwise I prob need to send the unit off to a Akai service shop that know their
shiz and do not take forever to turn around jobs.