Help needed to install Moodle, please

[wendy]

Colleagues,
I have downloaded Moodle but am not sure how to install it/get it functioning. I know that there is a lot of info both here and on the Moodle site that is very user-friendly, but I can't seem to find an explanation for how to actually install it.
I am sure that there is a series of logical steps which I just don't know and can't find.
Could someone please help me?
Wendy :D

[shadmego]

There is a much easier way to install Moodle if you want to simply test it out. Use Fantastico from your HM CPanel area. It can be found under Other Scripts.

Note though that this will not provide you with any background or underlying structure on how Moodle is set up, nor will it typically provide the latest possible version of the program, but it will get you up and running with the click of a few buttons.

The other, recommended-by-me, way to set Moodle, or any other script of this nature, would be to do manually. Typically, these sites come with auto installers so set up should happen step-by-step for you. You just have to make sure you follow a few "pre-install" rules ... like setting up your database and database user for the program you are installing.

Follow the link provided for a tutorial on how to do the database manually:

http://www.hostmonsterforum.com/showthread.php?p=11435#post11435

Post back with any further questions here ...

~regards, and welcome to the Community!

[wendy]

Greetings!
The tutorial is WONDERFUL!! I now have the DB all set! Can't tell you how much I appreciate the step-by-step help! :p
My next need is this:
I downloaded the Moodle program, but now when I try to locate the install.php files, no luck. There is an install folder, but when i search for install.php, nothing. Have I downloaded incorrectly or am I just in the wrong ballpark altogether??
I feel like the proverbial idiot, but this is totally new territory for me (like you couldn't tell!) and my approach is always "there's no such thing as a stupid question, but you're stupid if you don't ask." I just hope I don't drive people here crazy! If you point me to resources, I am an independent learner! ;)
Thanks in advance for your help!

[shadmego]

assuming you uploaded the moodle files to your public_html directory, you should point your browser to http://www.yourdomain.com/install.php.

If you uploaded the moodle files/folders to a different folder, then enter that path in your browser:

http://www.yourdomain.com/folder/install.php

If you did not upload the files correctly, then I would suggest you delete the files you DID upload from your webserver. Then you should upload the single compressed download you got from the moodle site, or wherever you downloaded the program. Upload this compressed (.zip?) file to your public_html directory, or the directory of your choice inside the public_html folder.

In your CPanel's File Manager, navigate to the folder you uploaded this compressed file to and select that file in the right pane. Look at the upper right corner for an image/text link that says uncompress and click that.

You should now have an uncompressed moodle file/folder set. Once you get to this point, then point your browser to the location of the install.php file, as mentioned above.

You might also be interested in reading this page:

http://docs.moodle.org/en/Installing_Moodle

It goes pretty in depth and much of what they provide examples for will not concern you, but you said you like to learn independantly, and this will be a great place to get your feet wet.

~regards