I'm trying to create permalinks like this : /%postname%/.

I created an htaccess file as described here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Per...access_file.3F

Anytime I change the permalinks to anything other than default, the pages disappear. Creating and updating the htaccess file did nothing other than get rid of the error message (that I need to create the htaccess file). Anytime I edit the htaccess file, all of my edits get deleted.

The file permissions aren't the problem. Set at 777 until I can figure this out.

I'm working with a client who's host is relatively... un-equipped. So that may be the issue? Or more likely my own ignorance.

Any ideas?

What type of server, apache or a win server?

Not sure... I've been in e-mail contact with the host, and he's mentioned cpanel - so, apache?

When you change the permalink, wordpress should be updating the .htaccess, so maybe there is a conflict with what you created and what wp is writing.

Try removing the file, then in wp set the permalink to the default, save it, then change it to what you want, save it and go see if an .htaccess file was created.

If not you will need to talk to your host about the setup.

Thanks for the response. Do you happen to know what it is he needs to upgrade or install on his server?

I've already pestered him for a few other updates so I can run certain plugins... I will never ever do a website for someone using this host again, it's been a huge pain in the neck. And I don't know enough of the server side info to be able to help him much. Meh.

So it goes!

Can't help you there since (1) I don't know who the host is (2) what they have set up and (3) I'm not really a server expert

Did you change the permalinks setting from within the WordPress dashboard? Just triple checking, since you didn't mention that step...