Install of elgg 2.3.7 results in blank page following install.

I have installed elgg 2.3.7  I get through the installer fine with no errors.  After creating the admin account I am directed to the admin site which loads no css files leaving a white background page with only the menu links on the left side of the page with page not found and i cant connect to my user. the server error log dosent show any errors even after enabling display_errors. any ideas how to solve the problem?