Booting up problem

[Bluewolf]

Well when I boot up I get this message where my multi boot menu should be (Vista/Ubuntu):

GRUB LOADING STAGE 1.5

GRUB loading, please wait....

Error 17

Changing what loads first in the BIOS (CD, HD, Lan) etc will not work. I have Vista on my comp, Ubuntu 10, and Ubuntu 8.4. First time its done this.

To Note:

I can NOT:

Use Vista install disk
Buy another computer
Hire tech help

I have no money and all those are out of the question

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Did you do a Vista update before this? You don't have the Vista install disk?

[Bluewolf]

Windows updated way before this also its a laptop and they tend not to come with install disks as its already on.

I think I may know what I have done. I deleted 8.4 Ubuntu from its parition using VIsta's disk manager and it may still be trying to find it at the multi boot screen. Not sure though.

[Edi]

Never, ever use any Windows disk management things to manage a Windows/Linux multiboot machine. That's asking for a lot of trouble. You need some Linux livecd that you can use to boot and then fix the problems.

[Bluewolf]

I have a LIve CD Of Ubuntu 8.10 which I am using at the moment.

[rapidsquirrel]

You probably need to reinstall grub. From the sounds of it, you erased the partition that grub was living on.
A simple process if you know what you are doing, but down-right scary if you aren't familiar with it.
Here's a link on how to do it from the Ubuntu Forums

Or if you want to learn what you are actually doing
The gentoo handbook has a nice section on it