Ubuntu won't start

I'm totally new.
Created a USB stick.
It boots from the stick, I get the ubuntu with dots underneath, then the purple screen, and then problems. The problems seem to change every time (I have tried many times) I get error messages such as 'the panel encountered a problem while loading OAFID:GNOME-Indicator applet' (I have had up to 4 problems with different applets) and 'the program marator applet closed unexpectently' and then an option to report the problem (which it seems to do when I tap yes) The screen looks ok, has two boxes one Example and one install ubuntu 10.10, but neither do anything. The circle with rotating dots in it just keeps going round and round, sometimes stalls, sometimes the clock stops too. Eventually, I switch off, but I have left it over an hour at times. I have also re-downloaded and made a second USB stick and tried that. I never got anything like a set up screen asking language/location/time zone type questions. I am not a very advanced user.