Custom permalinks break links .htaccess issue?

When I change to custom permalinks, ie: /%postname%/ or any permalink format other than the default, the links break. I tried disabling all pluggins but that didn’t help.

I read in a few posts that it could be a .htaccess problem. I don’t have a .htaccess file. I clicked view all files and folders in my ftp program, but it’s just not there.

Then I tried to create a .htaccess file. I copied some code I found in a forum:

# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress

But when I tried to upload it to my wp-access folder via ftp, I get this error message:

553-The name you specified is not allowed.
553-Names must contain only ASCII letters (a-z,A-Z), digits (0-9), underscore, dot and dash.
553-Names must not start with a dot (.) or dash (-).
553-For additional info please visit:
553-See https://help.yahoo.com/help/us/webhosting/gftp/
553
: /orbitstaffing/wp-admin/.htaccess.rtf

I’m on yahoo hosting, so maybe it’s an issue with them?

This is my site: ahrecruiting.com It’s running on the “Corporate Theme” from Elegant themes.

Sorry for the long post. I could be going in the worng direction completely. What I’m really looking for is just for the links to work.

Thanks!