Index Listing settings not taking effect

I am making revisions to my site http://www.tamo.no (Norwegian).

The test site is located here: http://www.tamo.no/store_new.

As you can see, the test site does not have "Featured products" or "monthly specials". However, the sidebox settings, and settings in index listing and Stock are identical.

I would appreciate any help.

Does the new site have Featured and Specials products set up ? Some sideboxes, including those, don't display until there is content for them.

Do you think it may have to do with he database? I am using a backup of the original database, haven't done any alterations. Maybe I should try to add a new test product?

noruga:

Maybe I should try to add a new test product?

I would try adding a new Special and Featured Product.

That did not work. Featured and Special products simply do not show up on the main page.

I tried to change templates, and the Specials and Featured showed up. There seems to be an error in the template I am using, but how to identify it....?