Index Query Form

  • Thread starter Thread starter eskey
  • Start date Start date
E

eskey

I've always thought that there was some sort of background indexing that was
possible on my data files (like Word docs) on my hard drive. I remember
seeing something about enabling Indexing Service in the Search Companion.
But even though I have it turned on there, when I do a search it seems that
it takes quite a long time to search through all the files. Not like I
would expect if things were already indexed.

I was looking around and came across this:

My Computer > Properties > Manage > Sevices and Applications > Indexing
Service > System > Query the Catalog >>> "Enter your free text query
below" >>>

When you enter text and run a search -- Wham - there are results
immediately from an index. Works great.
But I have to dig deep through My Computer > Properties.> Manage ..... to
get to that search form.

What am I missing? Why is that search form hidden so deeply and why doesn't
the main Window Search use that indexing?

Steve
 
HOW TO: Create and Configure a Catalog for Indexing
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308202

Set up Console1 with the Indexing Service and create a Shortcut to Console1
on your Desktop or some other place handy, like your Start Menu.

MMC Microsoft Management Console
http://www.theeldergeek.com/microsoft_management_console.htm

HOW TO Create Custom MMC Snap-in Tools Using Microsoft Management Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;230263

HOW TO Use Computer Management in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308423
 
Thanks for the links.

I checked out the links and don't understand them and in skimming them I
don't see a way to get the search form to be easily accessable. Listed at
the Elder Geek site link I see a command line, ciadv.msc, that I could use
with the Run command, then from, there do two more clicks on System and
Query the Catalog, but I still don't understand why this indexed search,
which works so well, isn't being done by the basic search option that comes
up from the Start menu. Why is buried deep?

Nor do I see a way to make a shortcut to the Query the Catalog.

Steve
 
Steve,

This will open a new Console1...

Start | Run | Type: mmc | OK |
File | Add/Remove Snap-in | Add button |
Select: Indexing Service | Add button |
Local Computer | Finish button | Close | OK |
File | Save As | Save it as Console1.msc

It will probably save in your Start Menu in Administrative Tools, if you
have that on your Start Menu. Or else in Administrative Tools in the
Control Panel.

Start | Run | Type: control admintools | OK

Add Administrative Tools to your Start Menu (if not there already).

With Classic Start Menu:
Right click the Start button | Properties |
Customize button | Display Administrative Tools |
OK |Apply | OK

With XP Start Menu:
Right click the Start button | Properties |
Advanced tab | System Administrative Tools |
Display on the All Programs menu and Start Menu |
OK |Apply | OK

Create a Shortcut to Consol1.msc *not* to Query the Catalog
 
Create a Shortcut to Consol1.msc *not* to Query the Catalog

Why not? I just made a shortcut Console Root with Indexing Service.

But I also tried a shortcut by doing the Saveas to the Query the Catalog.
It works. Why do you suggest not doing this?

And once again why isn't this very good search tool not working when I
select the regular Search?

Steve
 
eskey said:
I've always thought that there was some sort of background indexing that was
possible on my data files (like Word docs) on my hard drive. I remember
seeing something about enabling Indexing Service in the Search Companion.
But even though I have it turned on there, when I do a search it seems that
it takes quite a long time to search through all the files. Not like I
would expect if things were already indexed.
Click to expand...

Check at Control Panel - Admin tools, Services to be sure the Indexing
service is Started. If not, double-click it and set Startup Type to
Automatic; Apply then click Start.

Then in My Computer r-click relevant NTFS drives, Properties, make sure
that 'Allow indexing' is checked
 
Alex Nichol said:
Check at Control Panel - Admin tools, Services to be sure the Indexing
service is Started. If not, double-click it and set Startup Type to
Automatic; Apply then click Start.

Then in My Computer r-click relevant NTFS drives, Properties, make sure
that 'Allow indexing' is checked
Click to expand...

Indexing is started and allowed, and it is working. But indexed searchs
work only through the Search with Query form, not through the Search
Companion that has the little dog with wagging tail.

Now that I have a shortcut to the Search with Query form I'll just that for
my local searching on the hard drive, but I'm curious why the Search
Companion doesn't use the indexed search. I know that it doesn't because
it takes a huge amount of time and a lot of disk activity to find things
using the Search Companion but it is instant when using the Search with
Query form.

Steve
 
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