You need to open up your config.asp file and below there are steps you need to set up in it so that it can read your database.
What database are you trying to use?
Have you removed the comments out from in front of the lines you need to connect to your database?
Make sure to grant read/write acces to the folder/user needing to access the database.
No this is not a hacker's fault just follow the readme file in your download you got. It walks you through all the steps you need to do to connect your database to the forum
Hope this will get you started if you have further questions just ask.
Thanks Jeff that is a huge help. My friend/collegue actually built this place so she will have all the files, so i'll pass this onto her. That also puts our minds at rest.