1. I don’t know how to activate the Default Theme without wiping out the modified Parent theme.
FTP-download a copy of the modified Parent — Child also before replacing it — then tuck it (both Parent and Child, as previously modified) safely away in at least two places and then replace it with a fresh default copy.
2. I don’t know how to have two themes (parent, child or default) “running alongside” each other.
I say “running alongside” while simply meaning the Child is activated while the Parent happens to be “alongside” (as required) in the same /wp-content/themes/ folder.
3. I did check some of the PHP files in a text editor and they were identical. It looks like I altered the only CSS files in the parent.
So then, your job might not be as tough as we thought it could be. After you get a new Child Theme activated alongside the default Parent, any missing changes you might have made in any .php file will likely become observable.
Thank you!
1. I have not learned how to “FTP-download” copies, but I have backed up directly from my host site, both File Manager files and SQL files (two zipped files). I also used yesterday the “WordPress Backup To Dropbox” plug-in, and I did not de-select any files, so it copied them all. Is that good enough?
2. a.)I activate a default Theme. b)create a new child theme from the Default? THEN c) copy/paste all CSS codes from the old Parent into the New Child? I can do that from a txt document.
Then see what looks wrong with the site?
Are those the steps? Cheers,LMF
1. I have not learned how to “FTP-download” copies, but I have backed up directly from my host site, both File Manager files and SQL files (two zipped files).
I prefer using FileZilla on my own computer with an SFTP connection to the server, but File Manager can be fine…although I am not aware of File Manager being able to download a database backup. Maybe it can somehow, but I use cPanel > phpMyAdmin for that.
I also used yesterday the “WordPress Backup To Dropbox” plug-in, and I did not de-select any files, so it copied them all. Is that good enough?
I looked at that plugin once, and I think its only option for using files it has stored at DropBox might be to do an automated site restoration. But, I have no actual experience using it at all.
2. a.)I activate a default Theme. b)create a new child theme from the Default? THEN c) copy/paste all CSS codes from the old Parent into the New Child?
I would not do that since you will then have two full CSS files being called unnecessarily where you only need one (the full, default Parent) plus only any actual additions or changes in the Child. So, the challenge there is to compare the edited Parent file with the default version and then only copy actual additions or changes into the new Child…and yes, see what you get as you go along!
My sincere thanks to everyone who offered their help.
The biggest breakthrough was asking my host how operate WordPress off line. I investigated software that ran it on the desktop, as suggested by someone. That way I could use my existing Child theme and run a Default Parent. I’m so visual, I wanted to SEE what was going on, not compare code. My host offers a service called “Sandbox”. It duplicates my working WP site, and is disconnected from it. I could “play” on the sandbox version and found out what I needed. It worked. Thankfully, I did not have a lot of changes on the existing Parent file. So now I am confident that I have all changes on the Child Theme, and can replace my old parent theme with a default. I then could comprehend the above thread advice and problem solve, because I could SEE it. So very best to you all! Thanks for bearing with me. Cheers, LMF
I wanted to SEE what was going on, not compare code.
Comparing visuals is a way that can help to determine whether files match, but you will never know whether you have actually done the job completely until you compare files.
You are absolutely correct.
I did the visual comparison, and it was much easier. I am now confident that I am making progress.
Many thanks for your wonderful guidance.
Regards,
LMF
