Newbie copletely lost

[SimonWoodall]

So I downloaded SMF 2 dot whatever, created a Forum directory on my site, uploaded and followed the Install instructions.
When all was complete I went to "my site"/forum/index and there was the Forum, but laid out in a directory like manner that I did not understand.  So I thought "I need a theme to lay it out properly" So I managed to load a theme,.  I now have a Forum but I have no boards, no way of setting up stuff.   The guides here on the SMF site talk about an "Administration Center" but where is that?  Should I see it on my Forum somewhere?   

[margarett]

Hi and welcome to sm.org

If you were able to install SMF, that means that your server runs PHP. Good
If you go to your forum's URL and you get the listed files instead of a forum looked like this one, then your index.php isn't being processed (or was somehow deleted).
Can you give us a link to your forum?

[Illori]

i think the op has been hit by the URL not being set correctly for themes after the initial install.

take a look at What is repair_settings.php?

[SimonWoodall]

I've uploaded the repair_settings.php, and turned on Maintenance mode
I've gone back to the original theme
I'm still totally lost
www.themotorcyclingclub/forum/index

[Shambles]

Can you supply the correct URL to your club?


http://www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk/forum/

Looks like you haven't actually run the repair_settings tool.

[Shambles]

I just ran it for you

Don't forget to delete the repair tool.