Started using DotNetNuke this summer. Having done several DotNetNuke 5.xx host installs and dozens of portals, have worked out a procedure that works for me. Maybe it will help you. Here it is.

1. Pick a domain name for the DotNetNuke host website. Create a folder structure on your computer and make a file to hold the DotNetNuke host information. See Documenting Your DotNetNuke Installation Keeping Track of Important Information
   
2. On your webhosting service, set up your Asp.net website. You need version 2 of Asp.net. Turn off all the junk you do not need, like ASP (you only need ASP.NET), CGI, PHP and SSI. Each webhosting service is set up a little differently with permissions and email, so if certain things do not work, you may need to contact your webhosting support.
   
3. On your webhosting service, set up permissions so the Asp.net application has write access to your DotNetNuke installation folder and sub-folders. Do this before uploading the DotNetNuke files to your website.
   
4. On your webhosting service, set up an Sql Server logon id and database. There should be a control panel to do that. Record this and all your DotNetNuke installation information in your configuration documentation file set up in #1 above.
   
5. If you have a problem during your DotNetNuke installation and you suspect the database may not be correct, delete the database and the files you uploaded and start over. This will be faster and easier than trying to correct database issues.
   
6. Download the current version of DotNetNuke and unzip it to the website folder from #1 above.
   
7. Make modifications to the DotNetNuke configuration files before uploading. Include your database connectivity in web.config. Save the original web.config using the @ naming convention.
   
8. Upload all the files to your website.
   
9. Go to your website in your browser. This will run the website installation wizard. Presuming your installation passes each step, follow the steps below.
   1. On the installation page choose Custom, then click Next.
   2. On the Check Permissions page click Test Permissions. Click Next.
   3. Fill in the Database Configuration and Test the Connection. For the database qualifier use "dnn_".  Click Next.
   4. Wait for the database to be installed. You will see the message "Installation of Database Complete". Click Next.
   5. Configure your Super User account and email settings. For email you might be able to use localhost and anonymous. Otherwise, you may need to set up an account on your webhosting mail server. Test the smtp settings. If they do not work, fix this before moving on. When you create accounts, DNN will email you the information. This is a nice confirmation that things are working. So start out right and make sure this works before moving on. Click Next.
   6. On the Install Modules page, do not install any modules. You can install them later. Installing them now creates more opportunities for errors. Same with the installation of any other providers. On each of the succeeding pages, do not select anything and click Next.
   7. On the Portal Title page, you have to set up your first portal. Use the domain name as the username.
      
10. After installation is complete, be sure to download your root folder, particularly your web.config file.
     
11. It is also a good idea to download your entire website and database regularly so you have options if problems occur.

See these notes for configuring a DotNetNuke portal.

By Andrew Weitzen, Bronze Inc.(c) 2010

Bronze is the publisher of several online Internet journals including: InternetHandholding.com, DomainNames.gs, DotNetNuke.bz, Programmer.bz, Software.vg, WebHosting.vg