When you first go into LJ - even before you log-in - you should get a generic LJ page, with possibly an adult-content notice and other stuff.

Before you log-in, look at the right-hand corner of the page. There are 3 icons there. One says 'English' (where you could click to change the language on your LJ. Then there is a query-mark ?; and finally a magnification sign to make your text larger. Ignore the first and third and click on the ? query; and you get this message:

Welcome to the new LiveJournal

Some changes have been made to LiveJournal, and we hope you enjoy them! As we continue to improve the site on a daily basis to make your experience here better and faster, we would greatly appreciate your feedback about these changes. Please let us know what we can do for you!

Send feedback

Switch back to old version

All you then need to do is click on that last bit; and the old format will magically be reinstated.

I'm afraid I can't help, because I've switched back to the old version. The new version was ok, but I didn't like the widgets on the side and wanted my flist full screen again, so I gave up and reverted to the old. I'm sure LJ will eventually force us into using the new and not improved version. And they wonder why so many people have left. *sigh*

Like avictoriangirl, I've switched back to the old version, so I can't really offer anything in the way of advice. However, I think grondfic has managed to provide you with the solution you need. :-)