I have lost 3 DNN 4.1.1 test installs tonight to some strange bug with loading/changing skins and I am absolutely fed up now.  I was having trouble trying to load a custom skin/container set but then actually reproduced the problem with a 100% clean install/db with only stock skins/containers.

System Config:
Windows XP SP2 / All security patches as of 1/29/2006
SQL Express SP1 (No post-sp1 rollup)

Steps to reproduce the last time tonight (I refuse to setup another install and do it again right now)

1. Create /dnn virtual directory, copy files, setup web.config, set aspnet/network service write permissions, let install run

2. Login as host/dnnhost

3. Go to skins page and select any different skin (I chose DNN-Gray Vertical Menu)

BAM... crashed and the site is completely unusable (db trashed somewhere).  I've tried screwing with the records in the DB to change the skin back and such, no luck.

Exact Error I Receive:

An error has occurred.
DotNetNuke.Services.Exceptions.PageLoadException: Value cannot be null. Parameter name: type ---> System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null. Parameter name: type at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type, Boolean nonPublic) at DotNetNuke.Framework.Reflection.CreateObject(String TypeName, String CacheKey, Boolean UseCache) at DotNetNuke.Framework.Reflection.CreateObject(String ObjectProviderType, String ObjectProviderName, String ObjectNamespace, String ObjectAssemblyName, Boolean UseCache) at DotNetNuke.Modules.NavigationProvider.NavigationProvider.Instance(String FriendlyName) at DotNetNuke.UI.Skins.NavObjectBase.InitializeNavControl(Control objParent, String strDefaultProvider) at DotNetNuke.UI.Skins.Controls.TreeViewMenu.OnInit(EventArgs e) at System.Web.UI.Control.InitRecursive(Control namingContainer) at System.Web.UI.Control.InitRecursive(Control namingContainer) 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 ---

I give up for tonight... I've completely lost a portal I had lots of work into (I still have the db if we find a fix).  Anybody have any idea!??

Craig

Congratulations - you've hit the 'forgotten to put in the right code in the build bug'

Here's how to get you skins back online

http://blogs.ninameiers.com/2007/01/30/Broken+DNN+Site+Using+Vertical+Menu.aspx

I belive you can also find another build with the correct dll for the provider and put it in, but at least get the site working again using that fix.

Nina Meiers

There was a valid reason for leaving most of these assemblies out of the install package, as we don't want to load assemblies that are never used.  However, we forgot that the TreeNavigation provider is required for the Vertical menu style skins.

You will only need to copy the DNNTreeNavigationProvider assembly.