I am doing a fresh install of the latest version.  I am using the install version from the download page.  I have created a blank database with no tables or any other objects.  I followed the setup docs found in the install directory.  I verified that aspnet user has modify permissions on all objects in the directory.  When I run the site I get the following message.

DotNetNuke Configuration Error

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

DotNetNuke has extensive file upload capabilities for content, modules, and skins. These features require custom security settings so that the application is able to create and remove files in your website.

Using Windows Explorer, browse to the root folder of the website ( C:\DotNetNuke by default ). Right-click the folder and select Sharing and Security from the popup menu ( please note that if you are using Windows XP you may need to Enable Simple File Sharing before these options are displayed ). Select the Security tab. Add the appropriate User Account and set the Permissions.

If using Windows 2000 - IIS5
- the {Server}\ASPNET User Account must have Read, Write, and Change Control of the virtual root of your website

If using Windows 2003 - IIS6
- the NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE User Account must have Read, Write, and Change Control of the virtual root of your website 

In addition, if I look in the Windows event viewer I am seeing an application error:

Thanks for the information.  I did finally get it to install after much pain and here are a couple of things I have found.  I did get it installed and it finished without errors so it stated and the default.aspx page loads with data.  However, when I try to access the login page I get a 404 error.  I blew everything away and started over and had the same results.  Not sure how to get around this one yet.

My install findings:

As the site said you need to make sure that the aspnet has write and modify access to the dnn directory which I did have.  In addition, I verified the asp.net Temp folder under the Windows framework folder had write and modify and found my logged in user name did not have any access so I gave my self access even though I am in the admin group.  Not leaving anything to chance.

I also deleted the folder in the framework temp of my site to make sure if something was corrupted it wouldn't cause me further problems.  Finally copied over the install files which surprisingly one of the biggest tips that helped.

Then since I am installing on SQL 2000 I found the connection string in the web config would not work the way it was formated.  Therefore I reformatted it to get it to connect and commented out the SQL Express. 

As I mentioned I did this a few times and was able to get it to install.  Only I can't access the Login page.  So if anyone has any tips I appreciate it.  The page when clicking the Login link is trying to go to <my server/virtual directory>/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Login/Default.aspx.

Thanks again dhinojosa for your help.  Now if I can login I might keep using DNN.  Otherwise I will look for other options.  I am a great fan of open source, but not too happy with support on most.  DNN has not helped in this area as well.

Best regards,
Brian