OK, I'll admit I'm confused. I'd really like to use DOTNETNUKE, but I've been through a couple of installs, am not sure if I'm using the right stuff, and am totally confused about visual studio and sql etc. I've tried the installation manual, and aksed questions but I'm still confused. SOrry! I've been so confused by all the different configurations (I'm using windows xp and have sql installed, but not Visual Studio yet).

So here's the question - all things being equal, what is the best DNN version and the most simplest configuration to allow me to use all the templates, modules and stuff? I need to develop a web-based CMS and if I must buy visual studio etc please tell me if it makes my life easier!. Is there a step-by-step (easy to configure) set of instructions that show me the way?

Thanks again for anyone's help, and apolgies for being unable to follow all the (well-intentioned) instructions thus far!

Steve

Thanks for your suggestions and I've started again and am making some progress. My latest error message is -

Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.

Exception Details: System.InvalidOperationException: The stored procedure 'dbo.GetPortalAliasByPortalID' doesn't exist.

Source Error:

[InvalidOperationException: The stored procedure 'dbo.GetPortalAliasByPortalID' doesn't exist.]
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.DeriveParameters() +1962973
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommandBuilder.DeriveParameters(SqlCommand command) +121
   Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelperParameterCache.DiscoverSpParameterSet(SqlConnection connection, String spName, Boolean includeReturnValueParameter, Object[] parameterValues) +242
   Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSetInternal(SqlConnection connection, String spName, Boolean includeReturnValueParameter) +343
   Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(String connectionString, String spName, Boolean includeReturnValueParameter) +175
   Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(String connectionString, String spName) +45
   Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data.SqlHelper.ExecuteReader(String connectionString, String spName, Object[] parameterValues) +207
   DotNetNuke.Data.SqlDataProvider.GetPortalAliasByPortalID(Int32 PortalID) +92
   DotNetNuke.Entities.Portals.PortalAliasController.GetPortalAliasByPortalID(Int32 PortalID) +43
   DotNetNuke.Entities.Portals.PortalSettings.GetPortalAliasLookup() +75
   DotNetNuke.Entities.Portals.PortalSettings.GetPortalAliasInfo(String PortalAlias) +16
   DotNetNuke.HttpModules.UrlRewriteModule.RewriteUrl(HttpApplication app) +3384
   DotNetNuke.HttpModules.UrlRewriteModule.OnBeginRequest(Object s, EventArgs e) +1568
   System.Web.SyncEventExecutionStep.System.Web.HttpApplication.IExecutionStep.Execute() +68
   System.Web.HttpApplication.ExecuteStep(IExecutionStep step, Boolean& completedSynchronously) +75

Can you suggest what might be wrong please? 

Thanks
Steve

Server Error in '/DotNetNuke' Application.

---

The stored procedure 'dbo.GetPortalAliasByPortalID' doesn't exist.

Firstly I have to say how grateful I am that anyone out there even takes the time to reply to me. Its humbling. But please, your reply is way too cryptic. I hate not understanding what I'm doing and this process is just rote, following instructions without ANY understanding. So please, just how do I get a blank database? What/where is my database and how do I clean it?

In truth, I'm really concerned about using dotnetnuke because if it takes this much to even load the darn thing, what happens when something goes wrong with my site (assuming I ever get it up and running)? 

Thanks again,

steve