I did all of the above mentioned tasks and still same message when trying to get past step 2. dropped the database I originally created for the site. Created a new database, same result. Dropped that database - same result. Obviously I am doing something wrong. Any other suggestions? Would installing it on a sub-domain be causing this issue?
** A Prestashop database already exists, please drop it or change the prefix. **
Thank you for your help Zen.
PS. When I press next, the screen darkens - the arrows chase each other in a circle for about 45seconds then nothin. The screen brightens up again and nothing happens. If I press next again, I get the message listed above.