If you are just starting out, how about installing a fresh version of b2evo 6.6.6 by following the standard install procedure?

http://b2evolution.net/man/installation-guide

This would make sure you start with something very clean.

I did try that. I created the database on my 1and1 page, uploaded the files thru ftp. I tried a few times, it was not setting up - install.php was not working, i.e it was not asking for the database info. I will read up on linking to the right folder, and try again, just wondered if anyone using 1and1 had a tip. Thanks for the help, i will check in next week after the holidays when i can try again.
David

OK, It turns out the redirection from the hosting company was the issue. I was directing to the install folder per b2evo install directions, but host was redirecting to main website name - i.e. no "www.example.com/this_folder", just "www.example.com".
I have successfully installed the newest version. Now to dive in. One issue I see is the 'about this site' link displays a blank page. If anyone wants to check, my website is cannizzaro.info. I haven't altered any content yet, so it is a clean install. I expect I will figure it all out as I get into it. I am setting this up as a way to learn how to do it, and also as a website for my family. Once I get it looking good I will invite them in to a private site where there aren't any ads, and strangers to glean info ...

Thanks again for your previous reply. Trying again (and again) helped.
David

You need to properly install .htaccess :
http://b2evolution.net/man/htaccess-file

Cute kids! ;)

Thanks, I thought I had to match the ones that came preloaded in the family page...

I have checked the .htaccess, and it is installed. I tinkered with it a bit, to no avail. It is now back to original install state. Funny thing is, when I go to site dashboard-slugs-aA9 and hit edit, the preview shows the about this site fine. Whether I save it or not, it does not show from the website itself, just a blank page. This is not really an issue for me, other than I am trying to set up something, and the more I know the nicer, and easier to use it will be.
I am on shared hosting server, I believe, if that has any bearing.
I noticed the error when I was trying to figure out the menu set up.
I will get there eventually, and will work on problems before asking.
Thanks for the encouragement. Not sure I will wrap my head around apache functions and all that, but I can edit files easily enough. I had a wordpress page for a while with some minor edits. Just have to relearn...
David

You don't need to just check that .htaccess is installed, you need to check that it has the correct contents. You could have an old version installed (a version provided by your web host). You can also definitely ask your webhost for assitance to make this work.

The .htaccess installed is straight from 6.6.7 install. It is the same as the sample provided. I am working very slowly on this, and I don't really need that page to show, I just would like to understand it better. I have a number of articles bookmarked to read up on all of this, so I should figure it out one day. Thanks for checking back in!
David

I have installed b2vo locally, using xampp, and it all works fine, so I am assuming the issue has to do with the webhost. I am installing in a subfolder off of the / directory( / clickandruns/b2evo/ i.e.), but it is directed to / . My domain name, cannizzaro.info, is actually directed to 'something.1and1.com' . There is surely a glitch here somewhere in all the redirects, and I will contact 1and1 to see what they might be able to do.

OK. In Home - settings - urls I changed from default collection on baseurl to default collection in index.php, and now it works. I assumed it was something with the redirecting, so was trying a few different things, and this worked.
I appreciate the help so far, and while not very active I hope to provide answers when I have them for other users.

Cheers, David