I'm trying to create a skin with a template some designers gave me.

so I made a zip file containing skin.html (just removed the head/body tags from the template they gave me), skin.jpg (the thumb), skin.css (their css) and an images directory containing about 20 images used in the layout.

uploaded via the "Install Skin Package" page, no errors reported.   <%= SkinPath %> inserted in many places.

in admin->skins I can select my skin from the dropdown and the thumb I created appears.  I uncheck the "Apply To:" boxes because I don't want to change the admin skin.

I click "Apply" and get an error.
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DotNetNuke Error: - Version 04.08.00

An error has occurred.
DotNetNuke.Services.Exceptions.PageLoadException: The Controls collection cannot be modified because the control contains code blocks (i.e. <% ... %>). ---> System.Web.HttpException: The Controls collection cannot be modified because the control contains code blocks (i.e. <% ... %>). at System.Web.UI.ControlCollection.Add(Control child) at DotNetNuke.UI.Skins.Skin.Page_Init(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Control.OnInit(EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.UserControl.OnInit(EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Control.InitRecursive(Control namingContainer) at System.Web.UI.Control.AddedControl(Control control, Int32 index) at System.Web.UI.ControlCollection.Add(Control child) at DotNetNuke.Framework.DefaultPage.Page_Init(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Control.OnInit(EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Page.OnInit(EventArgs e) at DotNetNuke.Framework.PageBase.OnInit(EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Control.InitRecursive(Control namingContainer) at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
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I found in a search to try replacing <%= SkinPath %> with <%# SkinPath %>, used FTP to upload, and the error is gone (having to do this every time I upload a skin would be insane),  if <%= cause errors why would the uploader add them?  why wouldn't it insert <%# instead?

but another error appears at the bottom,  don't know what this is,
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Unhandled error loading module.
DotNetNuke.Services.Exceptions.ModuleLoadException: Cannot locate ContentPane for Skin
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now I can't get back to the admin area, it just shows my template.  maybe the skin was applied to the admin area even though I unchecked "admin" when applying the skin.

my only option is to FTP into /Portals/0/Skins/<skinname>/ and delete the generated .ascx file,  then I can see the admin area and get into the skin section and click "Restore Default Skin".

hosting on godaddy, windows,

I must be missing a step, or couldn't find the right step-by-step tutorial,

thanks,