Black screen, no grey, but on. Can't access serial #
I realize this is a common problem, but nothing I've seen has helped thus far. Out of the blue my MacBook started going black screen. start up grey screen won't show up when I turn it on; all I'm able to see are shadows. Thus, can't even try safe mode. I can't access my serial number to schedule a tech support call or chat. And, to make my life more fun, I live 5 hours from the closest Apple store. I might need a new inverter, unsure.. It's a 2008 model.
MacBook, iOS 6.1.4