DotNetNuke Clean Installation - .NET Framework must be installed ( http://www.asp.net/ibuyspy/CheckDotNet.aspx ) - unzip package into C:\DotNetNuke - create Virtual Directory in IIS called DotNetNuke which points to the directory where the DotNetNuke.vbproj file exists - make sure you have default.aspx specified as a Default Document for your Virtual Directory - depending on your choice of database you must have the necessary software installed on your server and you must create the database: - MS Access ( default ) - you need to ensure you have the latest Microsoft JET 4.0 Database Engine installed - browse to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=239114 - the database file ( DotNetNuke.mdb.resources ) will be created automatically - SQL Server 2000 or MSDE 2000 ( MSDE can be acquired from http://www.asp.net/Tools/redir.aspx?path=msde ) - manually create SQL Server database named DotNetNuke ( using Enterprise Manager or your tool of choice ) - specify the default data provider setting in web.config ( <data defaultProvider="SqlDataProvider" > ) - set the properties for the SqlDataProvider in web.config to match your server ( ie. connectionString ) - browse to localhost/DotNetNuke in your web browser - the application will automatically execute the necessary database scripts Applications Upgrades - make sure you always backup your database before upgrading to a new version - the application will automatically execute the necessary database scripts Security ( details in /403-3.htm file ) If using Windows 2000 - IIS5 - the {Server}/ASPNET user account must have Read, Write, and Change Control of the root application directory ( this allows the application to create files/folders ) If using Windows 2003 - IIS6 - the {Server}/NetworkService user account must have Read, Write, and Change Control of the root application directory ( this allows the application to create files/folders ) Compatibility If using .NET Framework 1.1 and you enter HTML into a textbox you will get an error "A potentially dangerous Request.Form value was detected..." - modify the web.config file and change the following node: <pages enableViewStateMac="true" validateRequest="false" />