Displaytech 162 (16x2 LCD) broken?

Thanks for the answer! Two questions though:

1.) Do I have to solder the pins the the LCD? Doesnt it get contact otherwise?
2.) I tried a 2.5kOhm resistor and a 10kOhm resistor so far. A Resistor does the same thing as a potentiometer, only it has a fixed value, right?