Just to say thanks Eric ...I have installed The Phile II on my PC under your instructions and it worked 1st time no probs whatsoever...(very pleased)...this provides a solid base to work from now where I can design my own site. Personally taking onboard your sound advice and adding a little of my own this is the way I intend to attack the task of being new to ASP.Net.

1. Buy visual studio 2003 academic edition on ebay £80.
2. Buy microsoft Sql Server 2000 on ebay £25.
3. Buy Amit Kalani's Mcad training guide 'Developing and Implementing Web Applications..........new and used on Amazon
4. Buy Wrox press ASP.Net Website programming problem,design,solution new and used from amazon.
(save where you can and use ebay/amazon 2nd hand/new and used)
5. If needs be a book on c# or web tutorials as and when required.
6. Try and install the ThePhile site using Wrox press ASP.Net Website programming problem,design,solution.
7. Realise that it can be a pain in the arse.
8. Download and install Eric Engler's site The Phile II..realise how much easier it is to install and use.
9. Use Eric's site, this forum, and your books to learn how to build the same site from scratch.
10. Use all your new knowledge to build a different site.

By then you should be flying....

Many thanks to all
Ian