Hi Ken,
This is Rod, and thanks again for getting me started with your copy command that got the git into the non-git installation. Here's sharing back. You asked for examples of: "find the exact commit for the version of code they are running and check that out" and "create a new branch and commit." It all begins with the git log command.
1. Take any location that is git configured. Now, just type git log and you will get the display of the commits.
2. look through the list and pick the most recent, usually at the top, or any other commit you might want, based upon the release version. Copy the first 8 or so characters of the hash following the commit.
3. Now, just type this command git reset -- hard [the 8 or so characters you copied] This will set the head of the git at that location.
4. Now, you check out that branch by using the command git checkout [the 8 or so characters you copied]
After that is git add. to add the branch to your current version then git commit -m commit the changes.
Just try the first 4 steps and you'll see it all displayed for you.
Rod