"disappearing" main page

i added a new category and product and now this product has taken the place of my main page. so this product page is now the default index.php result. on top of that, the footer has disappeared, but only on this page. other pages like index.php?main_page=contact_us and the other internal pages have all retained the footer. i am using a downloaded template right now, and i cannot say for sure if this problem has always been present, or if it has just occurred. either way, i didnt notice until just now. why would this happen?

We'll need a link to your site.

Sounds like you have a Product in your Top Level Category ... :unsure:

Or, you have set a specific Category to Always be open on the main page and you only have 1 product in it ...

There is a setting for whether or not to Skip 1 Product Categories on the Product Listing in the Configuration ... Layout Settings ...

Skip 1-prod Categories
Skip single-product categories
If this option is set to True, then if the customer clicks on a link to a category which only contains a single item, then Zen Cart will take them directly to that product-page, rather than present them with another link to click in order to see the product.
Default: True

But as stevesh mentioned, an URL to this would help as there are other issues running amuck from your description ... :eek: