My MFD'S just show up as Blank white screens even when i try to select things.I saw a previous post on this topic and i also am using a compaq laptop but it is relatively new and can play good 3-d games like Sins of a solar empire.
Try checking "Always enumerate devices" in the video tab and then select the device with "T&L" in it.
If that doesn't fix it, then please upload your orbiter.log file.