Sorry you don't like my "shouting". However, with all of the other posts throughout the support forums asking for help on this same issue I think it needs to be taken more seriously. Some of those posts go back aways; this isn't a new issue.
So, thanks for the suggestions, but the two are complete dead-ends. Redirect to what? Every file that is brought up in the blog wp-admin directory shows "" with no code. So redirecting away from a blank page to "" doesn't really help me set it up and do entries.
The error log, with the original installation AND a fresh install AND another fresh install using SetupWP (excellent program, highly recommended) shows ... exactly zip. No errors recorded (regarding Wordpress) on any of the installations and subsequent attempts to log in.
So, in the effort to get my client up and running, I've had to resort to b2evolution - which installed flawlessly.
I still would like resolution on this though; despite the hours wasted on this install it is my preferred blogging software.