[NSFW] .htacess management issues, syntax errors

WP Version 3.1.1
Suffusion Version 3.7.8
Will provide plug ins if needed

Current Configuration of Main Root Directory:

*rogue .htacess file
*WP Site 1:
own .htacess file
*Site 2:
http://www.laceinyourface.com/ (oldest on webspace, the one having the issues)
own .htacess file
*Site 3 (on subdomain of site 2, with no content)
NO associated .htaccess file
*Site 4 (on subdomain of site 2, with no content)
own associated .htacess file

I am new to the land of .htacess, period. I am not sure of how any of these .htacess files got to their current folders in the first place.

🙂 I just noticed this morning that I have a ‘rogue’ .htacess file outside of all of the 4 wordpress root directories. It only says this: “AddType x-mapp-php5 .php”.

When I tried to delete the rogue file, just to see what happened, three websites displayed fine on firefox except Site 2–which has its own associated .htacess file. First I got a syntax error relating to a List Categories plug in, then on a second attempt a separate syntax error relating to the User Online plug in.

The rogue file has since been restored and all sites work fine (so far–ha!) but this leaves me in a pickle in regards to backing up all sites (most notably site 2), as well as with a lack of understanding about how all of the .htacess files interact with my sites.

I am asking for help with determining: 1) why I am getting syntax errors on Site 2 from moving the rogue .htacess file outside of the wordpress directory–when Site 2 has its own .htacess file, and 2)if I am generally mismanaging my .htaccess(es) and heading for a file management and websites disaster.

🙂

Thanks!