Basic Newbie IIS question

I have just recently began trying to understand ASP.Net files.
I wanted the ability to test my pages LIVE, without actually uploading them to the final server destination.
Someone suggested installing IIS. I have it installed, but I can't figure out what to do with it.
I know I have a WWWRoot directory. My files need to be in it.
How can I tell if I actually have a local server now and if it is up and running?

A basic question I know, but nevertheless, a valid one to me.

Then, once I have the asp.net files in the root directory, how do I view them using this system?

Start by looking around www.asp.net

You need to install the net framework for any net pages to work.

A friend of mine recently replaced some hardware for me and also put a fresh Windows XP Pro system on it as well.
I told him to install IIS while he was at it.
He does good work and because of that he is EXTREMELY hard to get a hold of.
That is why I came to this forum.
He may or may not have known to install the .net framework. I'm not sure.

How can i tell if it is installed and working properly?

Also, thanks for the asp.net tip. I'll eventually get through asp, but until I get this local server figured out and running, the asp can wait.

Any help with the .net framework question would be most appreciated!

Thanks.

Look in Add-Remove programs, the NET framework shows up there.

If you open your web browser to http://localhost you should get the IIS documentation pages, which tells you your IIS is running properly.

If I am not wrong, .net comes with xp, but iis maybe not ,check "services" see if IIS is there

did you install .net studio, a must tool for developing asp.net ?

I checked, and apparently the .net framework is NOT installed.
IIS 5.1 only.
Do I even need the .net framework?

Perhaps I should have gave a little more details in my first message.
I have no desire of running a local web server to host sites and pages. I do not even develop ASP pages (from scratch anyway).
I purchased a huge ASP-based web application package for running things like auctions and classifieds.
It does allow for thousands of built in modifications, but anything outside of that you need to edit theASP files on your own. Thats fine. But, I need the ability to test and inspect them "locally", before I upload them to my external production server.
Thats it.
I just need the local server functions to test my ASP files.

I need to know the least complicated way to do this.
If IIS is still the answer, thats fine. BUT, I still need someone to explain or walk me through where to place the asp files and most importantly, how to use IIS to test them.

I hope this clears things up.
I would very much appreciate any help!

Thanks.
-maddjohnny

Actually I did more digging and found the answers I needed.
I do not need the .net framework.
All I need is IIS. Everything is working like a well-oiled machine.
Thanks for your help in pointing me in the right direction.

if your app are all asp , then IIS 5 is enough, don't worry about .net