I have installed and re-installed XOOPS about 15 times now, deleting the db tables each time, uploading again. Installation goes fine until I get to the add admin. After I enter the data and press next, it kicks out, cant' find page, blah blah blah. Every single time. I've checked settings in browser, used different browsers, in fact, when I use Opera the message is that connection is terminated, the install/index.php file is not available.

suggestions? can I pay someone to install just so I can get a look at it?

Try to login into your site using http://yousite.com/recovery.php and turn on debugging and see what errors you are getting.