Hello, I run Ubuntu on my Vaio. Well, normally I do. A week or so ago I attempted to make a SAM Linux liveusb installation, and it affected the local installation of GRUB on my harddrive.

Now, when I try to boot, I get a message that says GRUB Error 21 version 1.5

I tried to use the livecd of SAM Linux to fix grub with grub-install, but that hasn't proven a useful strategy either.

Ideas? I'm not keen on the idea of losing all the pictures I have taken since June...

Thank you in advance!

Hay there samsoknight
Don't know if you got it figured out, but, it sounds like you overwrote the MBR with your Sam install, of which I am no help at all on how to fix. If you can boot with your Sam disk or use the Ubuntu disk as live you might be able to retrieve you "stuff" and put it on another drive and then go from there. This link is on how to "un-hose" a windows MBR from Ubuntu , don't know if there's any info to help you there or not
http://www.arsgeek.com.nyud.net:8080/?p=3340

If you are still having trouble with your GRUB boot, don't panic. All your files are still there. It's just a matter of repairing your GRUB menu and/or MBR (Master Boot Record). I'm still learning and am not able to guide you through it, but the following link will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the GRUB boot program.
http://users.bigpond.au/hermanzone/p15.htm

Hi there samsoknight, welcome to BC!
Here's a quick HowTo on repairing GRUB using your Ubuntu LiveCD: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=224351