Ubuntu 10.10 install fails: "ubi-usesetup failed with exit code 1"

Did you MD5 test the ISO you downloaded?
Did you burn the CD as SLOWLY as you could?
Did you check the CD for defects once booted to?

I burned the ISO on a brand new iMac. Vista wouldn't do it and no Linux box working at the time.
Can I check the disk now that it is burned - vs the ISO on the Mac? I'm a Mac newbie.

By the way, Ubuntu runs from the CD, that's what I'm typing to you now on.

It doesn't matter what OS you burn it in. You have downloaded a very sensitive piece of data over one of the most unreliable networks (the internet). Did it not occur that it may have errors? You MUST use MD5 testing to verify the data:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

CD burners are far from perfect and use moving parts. There is a CD checking facility on the disk itself which you can access by pressing spacebar when you see the stickman + keyboard at bootup.

If the disk is good we can continue, right now the consistancy of the data is unknown. A bad CD will make a bad install. Don't worry. Most Mac and Windows user are ignorant of checking data but it is essential to a good install experience.

Please tell 2 people of MD5 testing, and have them tell 2 people too

Okay, the Mac hid a bunch of controls when I burned it the first time. I'm burning another one at slowest speed with verify on.
Assuming the first disk was a dud, I'll re-check this new one (after the Mac's verify) and re-try the install. Will report back.

Mac does that, Mac's treat you like a complete moron

Okay, I have the MD5 hash, but I can't find what to match it to for "Maverick" 10.10.
Perhaps it is changing too frequently to publish that yet.
I'm going to try the install again...

Thanks parsnip, the new disk checked out AND it works! Install is up and running.
You're a real root!

Always check MD5 and the CD. You'll have less issues.

Glad you got the gold =D