I've used a slightly modified Milky Way template for my website for the past two years and had few problems adjusting modules and installing new features. Now I have installed the automag template. I have the template and all the modules installed but it is far from looking the way it should and I'm stuck in getting the modules to show up properly in the preview.

Is there anyone that can help me with some pointers in getting this thing setup correctly.

The Milky Way template is still my default and works correctly: www.paposseracing.com
But this is what I have to start with: paposseracing.com/index.php?tp=1&template=it_automag

This is my first new template installation I have attempted so it's a learning experience...

if I install the sample data will it overwrite my databases? Is there a way to get this to work correctly without installing the sample data?

One easy thing would be to install the quickstart package in a subdomain at your site and learn from that installation.
If you regret to do that, i can give you some pointers on how to get it so close as possible without using the quickstart.

I'd rather try to work on what I have without resorting to the quickstart. It appears that there are some hopefully simple things I need to do through the administration menu with configuration to get the modules to move into the proper positions.I am all ears on any help or direction. Tks.

Ok, i will update this post here trough the day with some steps, i will not cover the basics of install the extensions,but the setup of them.

Thank you. I am making some progress on my own. But it's painful.

My biggest issue is my left and right columns don't appear in the right position on the homepage but they do if I go to other pages. I have tried turning off several modules to see if one is forcing them to drop down. But no luck so far.