Hi Richard,

I misspoke when I said I had the same environment.  I have everything you have but use Visual Web Developer Express 2005 as my main interface to my DNN installations and configurations.  I would recommend that you complete your IDE by adding this free dowload from Microsoft.  It's a great tool. It would mean that you would have to uninstall your current net 2.0 installation.  The VWD download reinstalls it during its installation.  If you go this route, you can take advantage of some well written installation docs ( http://forums.asp.net/1114393/ShowPost.aspx ) and be up and running in no time.  As for your errors, have you renamed the release config to web config and have you set the database connection properties in this file?  Have you given the folder the proper permissions (Network Service - modify)? 

Packrat

Hi Richard,

Let's try one more time.  You have a right to be discouraged.  I've been down that road with DNN (had multiple failures at installs) but now am finally able to do installations in a matter of minutes.  DNN has a high up front learning curb, but once you get up to speed it is an incredible application with significant potential.  Try to get everything cleaned up (uninstall SQL 2005 Express, Net 2.0, delete all actual DNN file folders, delete all DNN virtual directories in IIS) and then have the following apps downloaded and ready for install in the following order:

IDE

VWD 2005 Express - this will automatically install net 2.0 framework

 SQL 2005 Express- just accept the defaults on the install.

IIS

Installed and check to make sure that the net 2.0 framework installed properly.  Go to default website-right click-go to properties-click on document tab and look for a default.aspx page.  Go to the ASP.NET tab and make sure you select net. 2.0 version.

DNN

Download both the 4.02 install and the 4.02 starter kit.  I will help you get comfortable with both types of installs.

Let me know when you've reached this point.

Packrat

Hi Richard,

Just accept the defaults on the SQL Express 2005 install.  I used windows authentification because this setup requires no connection string changes in the web config file.  Hows everything else look?  Did the VWD Express install go ok?  Are you able to see the default.aspx document under the document tab on the default website in ISS?  If not, add it. Also check the ASP.NET tab and make sure 2.0 version is selected.  If all this is square, create a DNN folder (you could create it in the wwwroot folder for simplicity sake) and unzip the 4.02 install file.  Give the NETWORK SERVICE account modify permissions.  Go back to ISS and right click on the default website and choose create new virtual directory.  Give it a alias and accept the defaults.  Open up VWD and choose open new website.  You will be presented with a dialogue box at this point.  IMPORTANT:  If you choose file system VWD will use its built in webserver and not IIS.  This is another issue you would have to deal with when moving from development to production.  Instead make sure you choose Local IIS and then choose the virtual website you created earlier.  VWD will open the site.  Right click on the app data folder and choose add new item. Select SQL and click ok.  This will create the SQL database.  Then find the release config file and rename it to web config.  Don't make any other changes.  From the VWD menu bar, select view-output and then hold dowm the control button on your keyboard and press F5.  This will go through the build and launch IE.  Give it a minute and scroll to the bottom and it will say "Click here to access your portal."  This will direct you to you new portal but it will have some errors.  Just refesh your browser and the errors will go away.  It's a bug.  Let me know if you have any problems.

Packrat