Install fails, shows blank page. Linux Ubuntu 14.04

I unzipped the software into domain.com/crm
I browsed there and started the install
It complained of un-writeable folders, and advised chmod 766
I chmod 766 and those went away but it complained about /modules, suggested chmod 755
I can chmod to 755 or 766 and both will result in the installer failing with a blank white screen
I did chmod 777 (bad practice) and it worked till the next step.
Uploads directory, suggested chmod 755. 755,766 and even 777 result in same error - blank page.

What am I doing wrong?

No matter what I do, I cannot get past this point : see screenshot