I cannot get 10.10 to load on mac mini 4.1

The version of any other OS is of no consequence.

Have you tried the 32bit CD to run the memory tester. If the RAM tester is failing, it's not a good sign. How are you trying to install the OS?

Well, I tried installing off of a burned cd of an ISO that I downloaded from Ubuntu's site. I installed Vista through bootcamp and using refit as my bootloader. It was my understanding that I Ubuntu needed Windows drivers for the hardware. Does that answer your question? I am actually getting Windows 7 tomorrow so I'm gonna try again with that. But I just don't know that I'm not doing something wrong seeing as how I get the same results with different versions.

For what it's worth, Ubuntu has its own drivers and does not require or use any Windows drivers.

It can use them for Wireless drivers using ndiswrapper ;)

Ok, so if just needs a "windows" partition to install on and a second partition (swap partition)?

Again, the info that I've provided i sonly what I've run into on the web so I apologize for my ignorance. I also thank you for your help.

sorry, not solved

If you intend to use Wubi then it will use the space on the NTFS partition. If you resize partitions to make space, you will need a partition for / and one for swap. You can only have FOUR primary partitions, so you may need o make the Ubuntu partitions be logical partitions if you have multiple partitions from Windows or MacOS.

My initention was to have 1 partition for each. OS X, Windows, and Ubuntu. So with swap partition, I'll have the 4 max. I'm good there.

I don't have an understanding of "logical partitions" so I wouldn't know what's involved should I need to do that at a later time.

Then you can make them all primary partitons as you will have 4 partitions total :)

But once you have four primary partitions, you cannot create any logical partitions without deleting one of the primary partitions. Beware.

Ubuntu is generally quite happy for its partitions to be logical. That may not hold for other OSes.

If you have four primary partition, moving to a 5 partition scheme could become a nightmare.
I had to help some users with this configuration, and it leads to very error prone process, which could end by loss of partitions.
So avoid it, and made last partition an extended one. Linux works perfectly with logical partitions.

Ok, I get the whole " 4 primary partitions MAX" thing and I will avoid that.

As far "logical" partitions go, I see I can do that in the Partition Wizard. So in terms of steps...

1) Use Boot Camp Assist to install Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit and install Boot Camp.

Then should I...

2) Use Partition Wizard to create an Ubuntu partition and make it logical THEN install Ubuntu?

OR
2) Use the Ubuntu install to create the partition from the Windows "drive"(can I modify the partition in Ubuntu install?)?