If a template doesn't work:
1-Check if you have all extensions needed.
2-Check that you have got all the needed templates and do the following:
a- open your specific template i.e.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Navbox&action=edit
b- look at the bottom of the page, you should see a list of transclude
templates, copy/create all these templates on your wiki.
c- repeat step b for each template until you have filled all the
dependencies.
d- clear the cache.
e- if it doesn't work, check if you have a version close to the version
running on the wiki you are trying to clone.
f- if it doesn't work, then ask.
Thanks