Blank screen

Hello,
I want to discard my old computer. It had been working fine but I have just turned it on after a few months to download the photographs on it to a memory stick. The computer seems to boot up ok and shows a light, as does the keyboard and monitor but the screen is blank. I have tried disconnecting it and re-starting but still nothing on the screen. I am not very technical and don't really want to buy a new a new monitor just to transfer the pics to my new laptop. I have been told that once the computer is on i just need to insert the memory stick and it should ask me what i want to transfer - is this correct.

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

I