Hi Robert,

Many thanks for the reply! All assistance is appreciated... I know its time out of peoples day.

I have read posts on the machine key part before. It doesnt apply to me (i dont think?), as my install is a totally new install... I am not upgrading from a previous version.

I decided to try a few experiments. I kept with Win Server 2008 and SQL 2008 - and tried installing an "older" Dotnetnuke version I had on CD from a couple of years ago - version 4.8.    When I navigated to my website to start the install process... it gave me a lot of "errors"... and I gave up after trying a couple of times.

I then set up a new server with Win 2003, SQL 2005, and installed the latest version of Dotnetnuke... the same DNN version I have been having the issues with installing on top of Server/SQL 2008.    HURRAY! Success. Installed first time... absolutely no issues.

So, whats the scoop? I can install with no issues on older MS technology.  But, after multiple tries with the 2008 OS and SQL - cant get it to configure correctly??

To re-iterate, my problem is:-   I can install (with Success notifications) DNN to Win Server 2008/SQL 2008.  I then go to login with the Administrator credentials... but with no luck. It just stays on the main page... it doesnt go to the "user logged in" view of DNN.

Im stumped. I have ordered a few version 5 books from Amazon to see if I can work it out. At least for now I have a portal I can try installing my application to.

Thanks!

Martin