Here's another suggestion:

Do you have cpanel access to your site. If yes, use cpanel's File Manager and navigate to the "folder" where XOOPS is installed. It should display the physical path at the top. You might have to add that first part /home/www/*** to it to get the full physical path.

I pushed on through the installation even though the physical path wasn't recognized and it seems to have installed properly, but now I have the "login loop" problem that seems quite common here.

I get no default blocks on the home page(just XOOPS banners and a login) and can't login to admin ("You do not have right to access this area"). I guess that is an issue for another thread. Thanks for all your help in finding the right path.

[deleted] oops, wrong reply