trying to customise home page with tpl_index_default.php

i want to customise the home page, i have tried to add changes to tpl_index_default.php but nothing changes, i have restored the default main_template_vars.php and trawlled through the forum posts but cant figure out why nothing is working. why would this not work?

How about an explanation of what you are attempting to change

i am wanting to add a custom image and text, below that a product slideshow.. i havent tryed to add them yet i have only tryed to add text to the tpl_index_default.php page to see if it cchnages the home page

i am also wanting to customise the page that shows the list of products after you click on the category name in the menu, what page would that be? (i have customised the single product page, that was easy) thanks in advance

I'm seeing 'test cahnges' on your main page.

Again, it may depend on what changes you want to make, but start with tpl_modules_product_listing.php

okay, how about i rephrase my question, if i want to customise the home page, add an image, text and flash imagery, where and how would i do that?
cheers

In the define pages editor define_main_page.php

admin >>> tools >>> define pages editor...

No need to take a chainsaw to the PHP code files.

okay, i will try and do it that way... but i also need to get rid of the hr line on the top of the front page..its from the breadcrumb or welcome message which i dont want but the line wont go away

i also need to get rid of the hr line on the top of the front page..its from the breadcrumb or welcome message
What is a "hr line"

sorry, i thought it was a <hr> tag but on viewing the source this is what i need to get rid of on the home page only

It looks like your mindset is still wired to "HTML"...

I had the same problem - migrating from a HTML environment to PHP - a few years ago.

You need to get your head around php and css...

true schoolboy, but do you know how to get rid of the heading on the home page?

We're flying blind here - what is the URL of your site?

i eventually found out how to do it and that was to turn off categories show on main page in admin (this is currently now turned on but the categories dont show), but when i did this the information in the define_main_page dissapeared to the url is here
http://www.water-works.com.au/catalog/index.php
for some reason i cannot get the categories to show up either, or the sub-cats as you can see here
http://www.water-works.com.au/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
i have replaced the tpl files for categories with the default ones as i thougtht that may have caused it... but other than that i am lost.

can anyone help with these categories not showing? i have just deleted everything and did a fresh install and still they dont show, even in the default theme and i really dont know what else to look at

What's your setting for the last item in Admin - Configuration - Product Listing ?

it was 0, so i changed it to 1 and everything works now.. thanks so much, i was going crazy with this problem i would have never have thought that setting could have caused the problem..
your help is very much appreciated!!

sorry i am back again... i dont want the categories to appear on the front page so i change Configuration - Layout Settings - Main Page - Opens with Category to a 0 and then the information i have entered on the define main page dissapears to and i have a blank home page????

does anyone know the answer?
i dont want the categories to appear on the front page so i change Configuration - Layout Settings - Main Page - Opens with Category to a 0 and then the information i have entered on the define main page dissapears to and i have a blank home page pluse the subcategories dont show up on the subcategory page????