Installing DotNetNuke has become a very easy task these days, thanks to the installation wizard.  That is one of the best features in the project, as the biggest problem with most web applications is getting the installation completed.  There is one problem with it though.

One of the steps in the installation shows you the status of the database scripts as they are getting executed on the database.  Typically, you would see a completed database script listing as shown in the following image.

However, everyone once in a while, you'll see a listing more like the next image, where an error is just repeated over and over until you stop the website.  The error is "undefined...Success".

I do not know exactly where this happens, but I have narrowed down the fix to this problem.  Well, it is more of a work-around.  Basically, the permissions for the entire website have not yet propogated to all of the child folders and files in your website directory.  The initial file permissions check doesn't validate all files and folders, just the first level.  Getting around this and having a clean and successful DNN installation is quite easy though.

1. Delete all of the files in the website directory. 
2. Unzip the installation files back into the website directory. 
3. Right click on the root folder of your website, and choose the Properties option in the context menu. 
4. When the properties dialogue opens, choose the Security tab.
5. Click the Advanced button.
6. Check the check box to "replace permissions on child objects".

You will likely need to delete your database instance, and create a new one as well.  I always delete the database as a rule.  But if you want to be sure, check to see if any tables or stored procedures were created.

Technorati Tags: DNN, DotNetNuke, DNN Blog, 4.09.01, Installation