Help -- center column define_main_page text hiccup

I DON"T want the main page text to show up with the catalogue pages (catagory sidebox).

Yesterday when I would go to my website and click on say Ceramic Sensations (first catagory in my catalogue side box) it showed ONLY that catagory's text. This evening, when I click on that same catagory, it shows ALL the main page text from the HOME page THEN it has the catagory's text. You can see what I mean at my website http://www.gypsyrosetreasures.com I don't want the main page text there. All my subcatagories are fine. they do NOT have the main page text at all --- which is what I want also for my main catagory pages.

if someone could help explain to me why the main page text is showing up on every main catagory page in my catalogue sidebox, I would be very happy. I will be even happier if someone can help me fix this problem. You can see what I mean at https://www.gypsyrosetreasures.com and click on any of the catagories in the catalogue side box. when it goes to that page you will see the main page text first, than the catagory information. but it is not like that when you click on the subcatagories.

As you can tell I am very frustrated with this and would really like some help with this!

Thanks
Gypsy Rose

Check your settings for how you want Zen Cart to handle what occurs when a user clicks on a category as well as how you want your sidebox to handle categories and subcategories.

The reason it is showing the home page text right now when you click on that category is because when you click on that category, you are never taken away from the home page.

By clicking on that category, all that you are doing (since it has subcategories) is "opening up" the directory tree underneath that main category -- that's it. (You are not actually being taken to the "main category" page.)

Did you have any subcategories and / or products under that main category last night? If not, this would explain why it "worked" (or looked like it was).

With no subcats to open up, clicking the main category would have likely taken you to that page. Between last night and now you probably added additional categories and products under that, and as a result, now when you click it, the navigation just opens up the subcategories to click on.

Again, the way this all works is controlled from within the Admin.

Hope that helps.

Well that is fantastic but it doesn't help because I don't know how to change it back to the way it was before. So your explanation only tells me why, but does not help me in any way because I don't know how to fix the problem. I DON'T want the the main page text on the catagory pages. my SUBcatagory pages are just fine. they work just the way they are supposed to. but when I click on the main catagory .. again, the main page text is there then the catagory info is under it. I don't want that .. I want JUST the catagory information.

What do I need to do to make that happen???? that would help me tremendously!

Did you add anything new between the time it was working and the time is was not? Did you make any Admin alterations to the cart (from within the admin) between that time?

If so, back out of (remove) the last thing you did that caused it to go south, and you should be back to normal.

I added a new sub catagory and a product under Journals / enchanted velvet ...

when i saw the Hiccup, I restored the file back to what I had on the 18th. Even AFTER restoring it back to what it was before that moment -- it is still doing it.

I have also reloaded my entire include file from my hard drive through FTP to my website but to no avail. It obviously is STILL putting the main page text in every single main catagory page.

Honestly I am very frustrated and I dont have a clue why it started doing this in the first place -- and even after I restored the back up file from two days before that did NOT fix the problem.

Is there something I am missing or something I am not doing right??? why is the main text showing up on ALL my main catagory pages?? and why won't it go away after I have restored my back up files and also reloaded my entire includes file???

What happens if you change the template to the CLASSIC verision? Does that correct the issue?

I have only one template file and that is the Classic Contemporary Green. a while back I tried to make a custom template but that failed and if I switch to it there is nothing there. I upload everything into the classic file and have it all saved on my hard drive. so when I tried to upload all the saved files on my PC it still did NOT fix the problem. I restored a backed up file and that did not fix the problem. I deleted the subcatagory in the whole beginning before I posted to the forum, and that did not fix the problem.

If you haven't already looked at the pages I am talking about at https://www.gypsyrosetreasures.com -- please could you look and see what could be the problem. I see what is happening -- when I click on each catagory heading with sub catagories -- there is NO Catagory Heading (title) just the main page text. when you scroll down to where the catagory information is you see the picture, but not the heading (Title). ALL my subcatagories are fine. You get the title, the picture and the products in that section. with NO main page text. Which AGAIN is exactly how I want it to look.

but somehow all the individual catagories that have subs in them are not showing the Title/heading ... it is showing the main page text, instead.

Does any of that make sense? I guess I can only say it so many ways what the problem is but if no one looks at the actual website your suggestions are doing me absolutely no good at all. I don't mean to sound crass, but this is seriously frustrating. I have been though the forum in every way possible all day today and have gotten nothing. I even joined several eGroups in hopes that someone can help. I've tried to scour google and yahoo search for an anwer but I keep getting pointed to this forum. I am sure you can understand my frustration. I just want to know why this is happening and what I need to do to fix it. What files do I need to check and/or change? Is there a way I can make a NEW catagory side box and transfer all data to the new box?

I just want to get rid of the main page text that has replaced all my catagory title headings.

Actually, I went to the site after reading your first post (I don't usually answer questions without first looking at them).

The fact that I am unable to know what changed between the time it was working and the time it stopped working is why giving a "this is the answer" type solution is so difficult.

Something absolutely had to change between it working and it not working, or something has to have been mis-configured or -re-configured (whether intentional or not) during that same time. Until we can figure out what that was, it's all trial and error to fix it. See where I am coming from?

Some things simply don't have "easy answers". And it makes it more difficult to diagnose the issue when it is unclear what has been changed.

I would be happy to work through the issue with you if you are patient in finding an answer. Some things just take time.

So, back to the problem. With all the "moving files and unsuccessful attempt(s) at build your own custom template", have you made certain that some of those incorrect attempts are COMPLETELY gone (so you are starting with a totally fresh slate.)

Zen cart works on an elaborate overrides system. If there are stray files in the mix, it could very well mess things up (by in-advertantly pulling data from areas you do not intend.)

Update.

As I suspected and have been pointing toward from the beginning, it looks like one of the modules you installed is causing the issue. Which one that is I have no idea because I don't know which module you installed last, however, here is a link that points toward this problem occurring when the FAQ module is installed (which I noticed you have installed from the first time I visited your site.)

Here is the thread.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67377&highlight=home+page+text+category+pages

Here is the direct link to the solution post.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpost.php?p=387113&postcount=15

Hope this helps.

Thank you and I am sorry for sounding so .. impatient I guess would be the word. And Honestly you are the first one to actually help in the right direction. It's just frustrating.

the custom template issue was over a week ago and I just gave up completely! I haven't done anything with it. That is the reason why I don't switch templates. The only template I have and use is the classic.

when I first saw the issue, I restored the file to what I have in my Back up module that I uploaded a week ago or so. Until this morning I did not upload any other files. When I restored the back up file I have on hand, it didn't do anything. Or rather it didn't fix the issue like i thought it would.

That's why I think it is something silly in the admin panel. but I just don't know where to begin or where to start. I've checked and changed but every time I do it is still the same. the main page text is replacing the category heading title.

Beyond that I would have no clue as to what files got moved, changed, inadvertantly screwed up. I don't know what files to look at with the category side box and I don't have anything to compare it to. If that helps in any way narrow anything down .. woo hoo. But I know it really doesn't help. I restored the back up file I had from the 18th which should have done the trick. but it didnt.

Thanks.. I do appreciate your helping me. and if trouble shooting is what we have to do to fix it .. I am game. Just made a fresh pot o' coffee! LOL

Gypsy Rose

Be sure to look at my previous post (just below your last one). I think I found your answer.

I read the thread and the code that is included was not on my app_top page but when I did add it, I got an error.

How do I just get rid of all the files involved with the faq manager? there is NO uninstall instructions in the readme file. ggrr I don't really need it ...so how can I just get rid of them? Simple delete them from my FTP?

It's a possibility and just one more trouble shooting that may just help.

Let me know what you think?

Gypsy Rose

Have you checked with the original creator of the FAQ manager? They may have an un-install method. I don't have that one installed anywhere, but I would guess that you could run a standard DROP type command to reverse out everything the module installed (db related).

However, I think your issue (from my reading the forum posts I sent you) show that the issue is related to the FILES that came with the FAQ manager. In that case, to uninstall I would recommend you carefully reverse all the steps you originally did to install it.

More than likely that would require you working the "installation" instructions that came with the module from back to front (in reverse order).

Keep in mind, that although this may be one cause, it might be that a totally separate module caused the issue and fixing the FAQ one may not correct the issue.

In that case, you would have to continue removing items in your shop until you found the culprit.

I looked up FAQ manager and got this thread:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48457
so I read it through to about page 5. LOL holy cow

These people are determined to get it working. But several said to delete one particular file and it will go back to normal. Go to includes/open-operations/faq_application_top.php and delete that file.

Eric, you ROCK! I was a pain in your behind for a few posts but you stuck with me and I'm sending you a cyber smooch! You are awesome! You pointed me in the right direction and I would never have thought to check the modules. Not in a million years.

The FAQ module is truly NOT worth this crap! and one of the posters suggested getting rid of it in the downloads. I am all for that. Regardless of how much work these people put into their modules, it shouldn't be there for some newbie like me to come along and screw up their site. LOL

Thanks again Eric for sticking it out with me! You are a Gem in a pile of rubble I tell you!

Gypsy Rose

I did and guess what?!?!? My site is back to normal. WOO HOO!!!! doing the happy dance!

Glad you got it working. :smile:

See, I told ya, all ya gotta do is hang in there with me and we'll work it out.

Cheers.