Ubuntu :: Hangs On Boot (but Also Messed Up Different OS)?

My old man wanted to try linux, and he got an Ubuntu install (ill check version tomorrow).Anyways, we installed it, but during boot of either it (going though a boot slector menu, hitting F it shows only two lines on the screen (something vaguely similar too):GRUB loading stage1.5GRUB error 21 (or 27 cant quite remeber)

I did, unfortunately, have to step out while it installed leaving him at the helm. now the main problem is this: Ubuntu will not boot, and neither will the previous (contained on a totally different harddrive) Windows XP. A third OS (Vista) still boots, but unfortunately my dad had all his apps on his XP drive. Now, the ubuntu we put on a third Hharddrive (Both Vista and XP boot from two IDE docks in the machine (one Primary master and one secondary master)), but the ubuntu was installed on an enclosed (In the case) SATA drive partition. it seemed to have installed but when selecting to boot form it, or the harddrive with the XP system, i get the above error. however, vista boots completely without problems. Anyone ever seen sometihng like this? the computer responds to no commands beyond ctrl-alt-delete at this lock up, and no dos/command prompt opens up. it just sits there at these two lines until either ctrl=alt=delete or a hard reset are pressed.