I have followed these steps to the letter.,

- make sure you have default.aspx specified as a Default Document in IIS
- SQL Server 2000 or 2005
  - manually create SQL Server database named "DotNetNuke" ( using Enterprise Manager or your tool of choice )
  - set the connection string in web.config in TWO places ( ie. <add key="SiteSqlServer" value="Server=(local);Database=DotNetNuke;uid=;pwd=;" /> )
- the {Server}/NetworkService user account must have Read, Write, and Change Control of the root website directory and subdirectories ( this allows the application to create files/folders )
- browse to localhost/DotNetNuke in your web browser
- the application will automatically execute the necessary database scripts and provide feedback in the browser

but when using the install wizard, I get to the database info screen, and it says connection success, then I click next, and it hangs there forever......

If I do this step, - rename release.config -> web.config

I get this error

Server Error in '/DotNetNuke' Application.

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Validation of viewstate MAC failed. If this application is hosted by a Web Farm or cluster, ensure that <machineKey> configuration specifies the same validationKey and validation algorithm. AutoGenerate cannot be used in a cluster.

Here is the changed part of my my web.config

    <add name="SiteSqlServer" connectionString="Data Source=JONMCMULLINS-PC\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|Database.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

    <add key="SiteSqlServer" value="Data Source=JONMCMULLINS-PC\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|Database.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True" />

This seems like a really simple step, installation, I really don't see why I am having these problems, after installing a million similar scrips with no issues, this is baffling me.