The suggestions above are all good, and quite simple. I use the "orange indicator" approach. Leon (our other moderator) uses the "New Posts" button. It is important for both of us to see every post, and both these methods seem to work well.
For a one-time issue (your registration had lapsed for a day), it is easy to simply open each forum, and glance at the title of each thread. The posting date of the first post in each thread is listed, as well as the date of the last post. If the Last Post is older than your "dead period", it is too old.
Unfortunately, the Advanced Search function needs at least one keyword. It won't work with a blank keyword field. As you discovered, this makes it difficult to do a date-range search, even though that capability is supported.
Unfortunately again, the Search function can't be changed by the Administrator. The software is purchased as a well-supported package from vBulletin, Inc, and it is what it is. The Admin has a slew of options that he can select or de-select, but modifications to the software code itself is not supported.
Bill
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