itsmytwocents

OK , I got rid of the auto-update plugin. Saved a copy of plugins, themes, and wp-config.php. Did a backup.

Used simpleScripts to update –>
Use the existing database option.
Get the database info from wp-config.php
Specify same admin and password values, same WP site name
Allow overwrite of existing files
Let it fly.
Start WP
Allow database upgrade
D O N E

Takes 5 minutes when you know all the steps
Thanks for all help.

On my problem — fatal error upgrading 2.7 -> 2.8.4, my site never died, only the update failed instantly. Should I use the CCrest method to upgrade?

The problem involved use of the “All in One Adsense and YPN” plugin. I had activated it, but never configured it. The plugin reserved a default blank block of content space for itself at the top of each post. I’d suggest that the plugin instructions include a warning on this side effect.

Themes that I have seen work like this… The category list is produced by a call to wp_list_categories() in one of the theme .php files. The default is to NOT show the count. So yours apparently does not use the default args to wp_list_categories(). Locate the .php file in your theme/YOURTHEMENAME/ directory that calls wp_list_categories. Remove all reference to the parameter ‘show_count’ or use ‘show_count=0’. Here’s the page in the developer’s doc that lists everything you can do with a category list https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Template_Tags/wp_list_categories

I have experienced some odd ball cases where changes in the theme are not shown until I change the theme and change back. The effect is as though the current theme was cached or stored and not actually loaded each time.