Arghhh...this is like the most frustrating installation methodology I've seen in a software package. I've got a clean Vista running, SQL Server 2005 on Vista, installed the 4.5.3 DNN, and now I have to mess around with web.config like crazy. Constantly get errors about can't connect to the SQL Server. Unheard of. I'm a developer myself and we don't make installation difficult for users *at all*. DNN expects people to be an expert in SQL Server, SQL Server Express, Windows Authentication, Security, etc. I'm just trying to setup a simple website!

And...an online PDF help I have to purchase? Tools to move databases I have to purchase? A forum post that won't show up until a "moderator" decides to post it? So if you need real help from people giving their time to help you, it's only available when the moderators feel like posting it? Crazy.

There's lots of online documentation about what buttons to press to change settings, which is so self-explanatory, but nothing about how to setup SQL Server beforehand, pre-requisites, and no easy way to move data from a dev PC to a production web server. Deciphering Native NT APIs is sooo much easier than trying to figure out this convoluted mess.

I purchased, and returned, Professional DotNetNuke, as it shows how to press buttons. No meat at all. In a desparate last attempt, I've resorted to purchasing the "Dummies" book for DNN. Heck, I'd gladly pay $100 for something that worked.

THAT is what is needed. Worked great! I had to change the machine.config and add the tag userName="SYSTEM" b/c I kept getting a "Server Unavailable", something to do with ASPNET user not having access to the GAC. I loaded IE after changing machine.config, unloaded IE, changed machine.config back, then reloaded IE.

Thanks a ton, yours is the only "one-stop-shop" place I found (besides the machine.config change I googled).