OK, for a brief history... I had an existing DNN 3.3.6 install on a server located at a clients office. They are relocating to another state and without me around they decided on a hosting service, websecurestoresDOTcom to be precise. The host only offered two install options a 3.2.2 install or 4.5.3 install. I upgraded the existing DNN install to 4.5.3, and after finally realizing that the SQL2000 connection string was commented out in web.config(2 hours) It ran fine. 

I then went to Host>>Portals and exported the template and resources file, then uploaded these to the host.

OK. 

Now I am unsure how to actually "activate" that template.

I understand the concept, i.e.  creating a new portal and using the import as the template, and I have done this. However I am unclear on how to make this new portal the default. In other words make this newly imported structures/pages be the default.

I am unable to delete the default alias at all to replace it with a new parent, likewise If I create two parents I can't delete the original and use my new one. Also I cannot seem to view my "real" site if I make this new portal a child. 

The imports do appear to be working, as in the details it shows 386 pages...which seems accurate.

I am very confused at this point.

-jb