Inspiron 2650 LCD Issue PLEASE HELP

A friend of mine recently gave me an Dell Inspiron 2650 that he didn't think worked, I planned to use it for parts for my 2650 but before I did I decided to test a few things and realized that the computer itself does work. I decided it must've been a monitor issue so I plugged my working monitor into the broken computers Video card and the computer worked perfectly. On a hunch, I plugged in the broken monitor and viola it worked...so I turned the computer off and on again, and once again the broken monitor wouldn't work. For some reason I cannot start the computer with its monitor plugged in, however if I plug my monitor in, start the computer, and then switch the monitors, the computer works perfectly. Any ideas on how I can fix this issue??? I don't really understand the way the LCD interfaces with the video card, but my assumption is that the video card doesn't recognize the current LCD as a monitor on startup, for some reason. There is no visable damage, and no other issues besides the monitor. I would appreciate any help anyone can offer to me.

John C Ackerman
BS Space Physics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- PR