Trong:

Why do you want to compile the DNN core project???

I don't know if you are aware, but most people do not need the source project of DNN.  This confuses a lot of people new to DNN.  If you just want to install DNN to try it out, get the "Install Package".  The way the Downloads page explains the different download packages is wrong and for some reason they never fix it.  The Install Package IS THE FULL DNN PACKAGE, precompiled, and ready to go, it is only missing the source code for the core but again, most people don't need it.  To install and run DNN you DO NOT need to compile anything, you don't even need any development tools either.

By the way, I have been using DNN for years and I have never compiled the Core myself, actually I avoid doing that.  It is in fact a good recommendation to never modify the core so that you have no problems with updates in the future.  Even when developing custom modules you do not need to compile the core.

Hope this helps.

Carlos

Couple of things you need to do:

1. Go into Control Panel, Programs -> Turn On or Off a Windows Feature
2. Then turn on the IIS 6 Compatability
3. Then run Visual Studio as Administrator and then open the solution. 

These are general Asp.Net rules nothing to do with DNN itself.

BTW I often use the source version so I can step into the core to find issues with modules.  It works well.