Search Ain't Working

[Guest]

Using Windows XP, if I do a "Start" - "Search", I don't get valid results.

For example, I will choose "All Files and Folders", "*.pas" at the "All or
part of the filename" prompt, and "iPos" at the "a word or phrase in the
file" prompt. I will optionally specify a folder and get back nothing,
improperly, as a result.

With previous versions of Windows - Windows 98, for example - I would get
proper results.

Why is Windows XP unable to return valid search results?

Thanks,

Dale F.

 

[Haggis]

Using Windows XP, if I do a "Start" - "Search", I don't get valid results.

For example, I will choose "All Files and Folders", "*.pas" at the "All or
part of the filename" prompt, and "iPos" at the "a word or phrase in the
file" prompt. I will optionally specify a folder and get back nothing,
improperly, as a result.

With previous versions of Windows - Windows 98, for example - I would get
proper results.

Why is Windows XP unable to return valid search results?

Thanks,

Dale F.

was the file hidden or system ? go to folder options and set it to "show
all files"

by default it does not search hidden files ...there is an option to do that
in "more advanced options"

 

[Guest]

was the file hidden or system? <<

Nope. Normal files, not being returned by a standard search.

 

[Bob I]

XP does not look for text but in a few file types. Please use a third
party search program such as Agent Ransack or such.

http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/pageloader.aspx?page=home

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Using Windows XP, if I do a "Start" - "Search", I don't get valid results.

For example, I will choose "All Files and Folders", "*.pas" at the "All or
part of the filename" prompt, and "iPos" at the "a word or phrase in the
file" prompt. I will optionally specify a folder and get back nothing,
improperly, as a result.

Hi

WinXP's search function filters out files to search in based on file
extensions (see further below).

Install the free Agent Ransack, it searches for text strings in *all*
types of files, and not just in a selection of "approved" file extensions
as the built-in search does. It's a *much* better search tool as well...

Download it from here:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/default.aspx

Agent Ransack can save the search result to a file (or clipboard), as text,
comma separated text or tab separated text. E.g. Excel reads comma separated
text (csv) very well.

When searching for text inside files, Agent Ransack is also able to do a
preview of the lines the text was found in (just do a single click on the
found file).
Also, you can use regular expression on both the file name part and the find
text in files part.


If you still want to use the not so good search tool that comes
with WinXP to search for text in files, take a look at this:

Using the "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search Criterion May Not Work
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;309173

Or this:

Add Files to Containing text Searches
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_search.htm

 

[Kelly]

Hi Dale,

Troubleshooting Search - Text
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_s.htm#searchtext

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

Agent Ransack seems to be working fine. Thanks.

I wonder why Win XP even offers a search. ???. By changing what they
offered in Win 98, etc., they have added months of confusion to people
attempting searches and not understanding why the search results keep coming
back wrong.

 

[Bob I]

Glad you have what you need, as far as MS search, well all I can say is
times and operating systems change. It's more useful in some ways less
so in others! Take cake care and have a good one.