Blue Screen on start up (NOT a new install)

I am using a MacBook Pro (Intel Duo Core 2.4GHz - 4GB RAM). I am running OS X v10.5.7. No recent updates around the time of the problem.
For three days I am unable to boot up my system, I hold at the blue screen. I cannot boot in safe mode either. I have done the PRAM reset, run disk utilities from the Mac disks. No errors were found on the HDD. When I try to reapir permissions i get the following "error: The underlying task reported failure on exit." and then "permissions verification complete"
Eventually I decided to do an Archive and Install. Everything "loaded" from Disk 1, but then a notice came up saying that the installation failed.
I am at a loss and our IT guy is not Mac savvy.
Any suggestions? I don't have a recent backup, though I think I can get my data off with target disk mode. I really prefer not to have to do a wipe and reinstall, as I have quite a bit of software on the machine.

The inability to repair permissions might mean something, but I (unfortunately) haven't a clue what that could be.
Not being able to complete an Archive & Install--despite the hard drive supposedly being "OK" is also worrisome.
Unfortunately, the only other thing I can think of is to save your important data, find the installation discs for your software and try an Erase and Install.
Perhaps someone else will have better news
~Lyssa

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