After much frustration finding a  good DNN data manager, I decided I needed to create my own module.  While I have been programming everything from COBOL to FORTRAN to FORTH and various BASICS for 30+ years, this is my first serious venture with VB or with the Object Oriented world. 

I carefully followed Shaun's directions here , but with the VS 2005 Standard instead of express. ( XP Professional and SQLServer Mgmt Studio Express installed and functional.)  All goes well until the database installation scripts are run - then the error below is generated:

Installing Database - Version 4.4.0...Upgrading Database to Version ERROR: See D:\Websites\DNN455_VSDevelopment\Providers\DataProviders\SqlDataProvider\04.04.00.log for more information...FAILURE 400 - Conversion from string "ERROR: See D:WebsitesDNN455_VSDe" to type 'Integer' is not valid.

Unfortunately, there is no "04.04.00.log"  file created.

Since this is a straightforward "vanilla" install, It seems to me that there is a problem with the starter kit installation kit.

Anyone have any idea how to solve this?

Yes, I've travelled that road before. If you read Shaun's post carefully, you would have noticed that he recommends creating the webserver (http) rather than the file system website. Create a blank database and name it whatever you like. You should also edit web.config to point to your database especially in case it resides in another box before running the site the first time.