I am using a Vista laptop, 2GB ram


I'm getting a black screen "before" boot up - so I can't even do a system restore/pc restore.

This black screen of death happens 95% of the time (I am repeatedly taking out the batteries, restarting, etc).

When the screen does not turn totally black, I did a 'automatic pc repair' - it got me to the log in screen. Then I clicked log-in and
everything turned to purple-green and the laptop crashed.

Are you referring to the Startup Repair listed here?: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html
If so, can you get into Safe Mode?
If so, try uninstalling your video/display adapter drivers in the Control Panel -» Programs -» Uninstall Programs applet

If not, then I'd suggest downloading a free, bootable diagnostic utility from the manufacturer of your hard drive. Test the hard drive with the long/extended test to see if there's any issues.

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I didn't use the windows cd to boot to it. It is the starup repair in the "Vista System Recovery Options screen." I got to this screen by pressing random buttons on my keyboard (I dont have the disk) - what are the 'exact keys' to get to this screen? I might have to do a complete PC wipes if this keeps up.

"If so, can you get into Safe Mode? If so, try uninstalling your video/display adapter drivers in the Control Panel -» Programs -» Uninstall Programs applet"

Well, I can only get maybe 3-4 seconds into the login screen before I get a total system crash.

if I uninstall my video-driver, would my display still work? Or would it default to manufacturer's settings?

Anyone?

Yes you'd still have video if you uninstalled the driver - but since you can't get into Safe Mode, there's no easy way to uninstall the driver.
I'd go with the hard drive test and see what you get there.

If I can't get past POST - startup boot, what do you think the main problem is?

Graphics cards meltdown, damaged motherboard, faulty ram, hard disk glitch?