I got to the database connection on the web installer, and ... stalled :-) The error below is what I am getting. I would be happy to supply Screen shots if needed - I am not closing anything till I get this resolved, too afraid to mess anything up. :-)

DotNetNuke Error

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System.ArgumentException: Invalid value for key 'attachdbfilename'. at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionString.VerifyLocalHostAndFixup(String& host, Boolean enforceLocalHost, Boolean fixup) at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionString..ctor(String connectionString) at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionFactory.CreateConnectionOptions(String connectionString, DbConnectionOptions previous) at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.GetConnectionPoolGroup(String connectionString, DbConnectionPoolGroupOptions poolOptions, DbConnectionOptions& userConnectionOptions) at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.ConnectionString_Set(String value) at Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelper.ExecuteReader(String connectionString, CommandType commandType, String commandText, SqlParameter[] commandParameters) at Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelper.ExecuteReader(String connectionString, String spName, Object[] parameterValues) at DotNetNuke.Data.SqlDataProvider.TestDatabaseConnection(DbConnectionStringBuilder builder, String Owner, String Qualifier) at DotNetNuke.Services.Install.InstallWizard.TestDatabaseConnection() at DotNetNuke.Services.Install.InstallWizard.wizInstall_NextButtonClick(Object sender, WizardNavigationEventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.WebControls.Wizard.OnBubbleEvent(Object source, EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Control.RaiseBubbleEvent(Object source, EventArgs args) at System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(IPostBackEventHandler sourceControl, String eventArgument) at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint)

I don't know if this is exactly what you wanted, but I hope it helps (And thank you for the help!)

connection and database

Ok, I can't seem to resolve this, so I am going to re-install windows server 2008, and start from scratch. I wish there was a step by step guide. I have found guides, but they conflict with each other, and don't cover every step.

1) Install .net 3.5 or 4
2) Install SQLexpress...?
3) Install .netnuke

I think that is the jist of it?

Gabe