I just did a fresh install of version 1.4.4.5 and FTPed some .jpg photos unto the albums directory but they are not visable. The albums show up as empty. I deleted the photos from one album and tried to use the admin/upload Images link but I get a message the .jpgs are an unsupported file type. ??? Where do I enable the display of .jpg images?

What does the graphics support say on the admin overview page's information box respectively the list on the upload page itself?

If jpg/jpeg is missing you will have to contact your host as this can only be changed on the server configuration.

You also should look into your server error log.

The overview page has a header that says Installation Information and nothing else at all.

You mean you don't see something like this?
http://www.zenphoto.org/screenshots/zenphoto-admin/admin-overview.jpg.html
Then probably something is really not right with your server.