Hot Start Installation -won't connect

when you install from there, the VM and hotjoomla template files are not discoverable. I've tried is twice.

What you mean by this? Can you complete HotStart installation or not? If not, what error message you got?

when I installed through the installation.php file, like a standard joomla install, the hotjoomla template is in the template file and the VM folder is in the component file. But neither could be accessed from the admin area.
If you wen to the template manager - the hot joomla template was not listed, and the same under components for the VM.

Did you click Install Sample Data button during installation?

I believe so yes.

If you are 100% sure you did, please send MySQL and FTP access (use Report to Moderator), so we can try to install it.

i'm trying it again right now - give me just a minute