Status icons aren't working

Did 1.5 change the function of the green and red status icons? It used to be (in 1.3.8) possible to click on the green icon to change it to red, and visa-versa. Now, to change a product's status I have to edit that status and click "in stock" or "out of stock". This takes extra time when I am doing a bunch. Also, in 1.3.8 I was able to have active products in an inactive category. This was useful for sneak previews for selected customers - by emailing them a direct URL to a product, yet having that product not accessible via the category links. I can no longer do this either. I would like to know if there is a setting in the admin that would help with either of these issues, or if my 1.5.0 shop needs repair, or if there is a module, or if this is a new "feature" of this version. Thanks!

If I remember correctly, I seem to recall that the symptoms you describe are very similar to a problem with the Image Handler addon for v1.5

A workaround is to simply click the "e" edit button and change the product's status in the edit screen.

Or, if you would like to fix the buttons themselves due to the Image Handler issue, post #33 for this thread will help:
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?194740-Image-Handler-4-%28for-v1-5-x%29-Support-Thread&p=1117504#post1117504

Linda: you rock.

DrByte: Thanks, but since my client is used to the simple one-click he does not want to regress to a more time-consuming option. So I will fix the problem. Thanks!