To put this in context: I am getting errors in connecting to the database while trying to install (not upgrade) on a local machine.

I am using XP, IIS 5.1, SQL Server 2000, ASP.NET 1.1.

The error(s) I am getting is the old familar one:

"Could not connect to database specified in connectionString for SqlDataProvider"

...or, sometimethis variant (for same config, same exact site) ...

"The Assembly Version ([ASSEMBLYVERSION]) does not match the Database Version ([DATABASEVERSION]).
ERROR: Could not connect to the database.
Login failed for User 'LATTITUDE\gary'. Reason: Not associated with a trusted SQL Server connection."

I have done this many  times in the past. Though I have been away from DNN for several months, I am now getting back into it and need it fro several new upcoming clients. On my local XP machine (as above), I plan on installing:

- DNN 3.3.7 w/ SQL Server 2000, ASP.NET 1.1

- DNN 4.4.1 w/ SQL Server Express 2005, ASP.NET 2.0

- DNN 4.5.1 w/ SQL Server Express 2005, ASP.NET 2.0

I do not prefer to proceed to the DNN 4.x versions until I have 3.3.7 resolved.

Further notes:

I am currently trying to just iuse the Install package (not the Source, yet) to install 3.3.7. HOWEVER, I remember that in the past (previous 3.x versions) I had similar problems and the Source version succeeded while the Install version failed. Any insight on this for 3.3.7?

I have checked and re-checked the SQL setup and connection string, which seems correct. I also tried the login id with (LATTITUDE\gary) and without (gary) the machine name - both get the failed result.

I have noted in these forums a stress on setting BOTH instances of the connectionString. However, I see only one version for 3.3.7 (i.e. no instance of the deprecated version). Is this second version only applicable for 4.x, or am I really missing something?

I also noted mention (again,maybe only for 4.x?) that by default the config file has SQL Express enabled and SQL 2000 commented out. This MAY be the problem for me. Can anyone provide more info because I do not see this explicitly in the config file?

I have seen many  installation difficulties exprerssed in these forums - i.e. common experiences. Manyh people feel that the installation process continues to often be the most frustrating aspect of dealing with DNN (while most of us love it once we get past these difficulties). I therefore recommend that the installation process be improved and that much more explicit  instructions and troubleshooting information be included in the installation manuals.

Any/all help will be greatly appreciated from one frustrated person (and many others, I'm sure).

You're probably not stupid, since we are a lot in that case... Clear information and documentation is really what lacks on the DNN web site ! The project might be very good, it looks like little effort is done toward new users. 

Ok, some things that helped me just in case someone has the same kind of issues..

Experienced users, feel free to correct me.

First off, I recommend locating and downloading the DNN 4.4.1 installer that configures IIS, Permissions (for the most part), SQL connection strings, etc. It is on this site somewhere.. It installs with a wizard the way most end user programs do.

Its not the newest version of DNN but it will save you some headaches if you are a noob like me. You can upgrade later..

If you build your own server (ie: Win2k3R2w/sp2) and you can't get DNN installed (from the setup.exe from above installer):

• Make sure your server has .Net 2.0 on it.
• Make sure .NET is checked in the add/remove programs>windows components (this was my mistake, and all my issues were fixed when I checked this). You can have .NET installed but not be set up as a .NET application server, in which case DNN won't work.