Advanced Search: Trouble searching manufacturers

So let's see if I can explain this.

This line:

<?php echo zen_draw_hidden_field('main_page', FILENAME_ADVANCED_SEARCH_RESULT); ?>

See, when this line is eliminated, you can choose your desired manufacturer, then search (with nothing else added). When the results come out, you are given the choice to choose which category of products you want.

This all sounds good until you figure that the customer might not want to choose the manufacturer and just select "All Manufacturers". The the search wouldn't work AT ALL. It'd just jump to the home page.

How would All Manufacturers work, then? Of course, when you eliminate that damned line. But then your results won't give the choice to choose the categories.

See it for yourself:

http://e-techsiliconvalley.com/store/index.php?main_page=products_all

I've tried everything else from assigning hidden values to if statements inside the input types. I'm clueless.

This is obviously a bug. I'd appreciate any help - would really appreciate a fix!

Thanks a ton.

Correction:

"How would All Manufacturers work, then? Of course, when you eliminate that damned line. But then your results won't give the choice to choose the categories."

Should have said:

"How would All Manufacturers work, then? Of course, when you put in that damned line. But then your results won't give the choice to choose the categories for that manufacturer."

So, any ideas?

Anyone?

This really IS a bug. Why is the customer forced to enter so many information just to search the database anyways?

There is no search option in the All Products page of a fresh Zen Cart install. And, thus there is no "manufacturer search" there either.
Thus, whatever "bug" you're referring to is in whatever addon/customization you've done to your site to add that functionality.

I'm moving this post to the Addons area, since it's not related to a core Zen Cart bug.

DrByte:

There is no search option in the All Products page of a fresh Zen Cart install. And, thus there is no "manufacturer search" there either.
Thus, whatever "bug" you're referring to is in whatever addon/customization you've done to your site to add that functionality.

I'm moving this post to the Addons area, since it's not related to a core Zen Cart bug.

The advanced search does the same.

For example, why is it that the customer can't view all the products of one manufacturer without having to fill in the price, date or keyword? :dontgetit

It's an issue worth resolving...but suppose it turns out otherwise...could you guys help me figure out how to make things work?