DAHDI configuration no longer works

Freepbx 2.9.0
PBXinaFlash

In trying to fix an echo cancellation issue and a disconnect detection issue, I have managed to break my dahdi configuration.

I suspect I have managed to over-write a symlink with a config file (would that happen if you opened the symlink which pointed to the remote file and then saved the config as the symlink? I have the following symlinks in /etc/asterisk:

ccss.conf
chan_dahdi.conf
extensions.conf
features.conf
iax.conf
logger.conf
sip.conf
sip_notify.conf
sip_notify_endpointman.conf

Either way, when I start Asterisk, I see my 4 dahdi channels are configured, but all 4 are active as soon as the lines are plugged in, even when no calls are being made.

Any help very gratefully appreciated

If I make changes to the dahdi configuration from FreePBX interface, I am asked if I want to reload the configuration, which I do, but any changes go back to the original settings.

As an example, I had tried changing one of the ports from Kewlstart to Loopstart which took effect. However, each time I change it, submit the changes and reload, the changes disappear upon refreshing the screen.