One thing, in the first place I don't understand: Why did you chose the "ZenCart jQuery Silver" if you don't like the roll-up effects on the boxes? Using the classic template and only changing a few css and two images would have been much easier.

If your problems persist despite switching back to the classic template, you might have placed an override in the classic folder OR something else in your configuration is broken.

Did you try installing zen-cart to another folder and duplicating your DB for it? Of course the product images will be needed but otherwise you'd have a fresh start without the headache you are creating for yourself. I'm in the process of converting my old 1.23 version shop to 1.38a right now, and my database survived.