Problem Setting Up Test Forum

[CrabbyHost]

I wanted to create a Test Forum to test out new mods before installing them on my live forum.  I installed it in a folder called TestForum (with it's own separate database) and then imported my live forum's database to mirror the settings, boards, etc.

Everything appeared to work fine until I 'tweaked' the colors on the test forum (just so I wouldn't get confused as to where I was) and it changed the colors on my live forum! 

Now I'm terrified to make any changes on the Test site and afraid they will affect my live site.

What did I do wrong? 

[Dragooon]

Try this
Download http://www.simplemachines.org/download/index.php?thanks;filename=repair_settings.php and make sure all the paths follow to your test forum and not your main forum, also make sure that the paths of your main forum follow to itself and not the test forum.

[CrabbyHost]

Thanks Dragooon!!!  I'll give that a try. 

[Dragooon]

If you are having troubles with repair_settings.php, try reading the fol
http://docs.simplemachines.org/index.php?topic=663.msg1319#msg1319

[CrabbyHost]

I really appreciate that link!  I was a bit confused. 

Question...where it says:

Queryless URLs - Turn the use of queries in the forum's urls on and off.

On mine it said 'not found' or something like that and I changed it to "Off [recommended]".  Was that the correct thing to do or have I messed something up?   

[Dragooon]

Thats SMF's SEO thing which comes in by default, off should be fine.

[CrabbyHost]

Whew!  That's a relief.

Some of the settings were wrong on the Test Forum, so I changed them and right now everything appears to be working separately.  Keeping my fingers crossed and proceeding with caution.

Thank you so much for your help!! 

[Dragooon]

Glad I could help