If I THINK you're describing what I THINK, you're describing, then it's possible: (otherwise, make your point clearer to the forum BEFORE you attempt what I'm saying...
We removed sub-category listing all together, by editing:-
tpl_index_categories.php
<!-- BOF: Display grid of available sub-categories, if any -->
(there will be some code here)
<!-- EOF: Display grid of available sub-categories -->
If you don't want this DIVISION to display AT ALL, you can comment it out (type in the characters in red, into the code:-
<!-- BOF: Display grid of available sub-categories, if any -->
<!-- BEGIN of deprecated code. - to use it, uncomment
<?php
if (PRODUCT_LIST_CATEGORY_ROW_STATUS == 0) {
// do nothing
} else {
// display subcategories
/**
* require the code to display the sub-categories-grid, if any exist
*/
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_modules_category_row.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_modules_category_row.php');
}
?> END of deprecated code-->
<!-- EOF: Display grid of available sub-categories -->
Then, you should preferably upload the EDITED file to your over-rides folder - rather than overwrite the original.