Shapes and Layers

I am not a basic user, but this is a prety basic question so I thought this would be the best place for it.

I want to change the way the shape tool works to where it does not create a new layer every time I draw a box with it. I had this option turned off before, but I stumble upon it by accident and now I need to turn it off again.

Please reply!
DMM

Right under the menu (file, edit, etc.)--click on the square that says "Fill pixels", or if you prefer paths, click on the one that says "Paths".

Thanks for the help! One more simple question that is just driving me to annoyance. Is it possible in Photoshop to make the text have a white background when tryping it? I know easily that I can give it a white background by adding a box underneath it, but I want to know if it can have a background while you type? Or is what I asking not possible?

Ctrl+H to hide the text inverse whilst you type (not sure if thats what you want)