Search Companion Damaged

[Allan C]

Some time ago (on an XPHome PC), the Search Assistant stopped working. When
we click the "find" button at the top of any Explorer window, the Search
Assistant panel appears on the left but is completely gray blank. (No
animated character, no way to enter searches).

I have read several articles about this and so far these are the steps I
have completed:

I have reinstalled using searchui.inf
Replaced the *.xls files;
Replaced the entire Winnt/srchasst folder from a working machine
Repaired IE6
Reinstalled IE6 (using the MS registry tip under XP)
Did a sfc /scannow (used the CD)
Disabled SA and tried using Classic mode (registry tweak)
Insured I can connect to sa.microsoft.com (ping and traceroute confirm ok)
Ran complete virus, spyware and disk checks (including defragging)

Am I missing a vital step somewhere? The darn SA on WinXP Home is terrible,
we've resorted to purchasing a 3rd party search engine.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Allan,

Try this: Click Start | Run and type:
"regsvr32 /i C:\Windows\Srchasst\srchui.dll"
then, "regsvr32 /i urlmon"

If not, try a repair installation, or use a thrid-party search utility [Agent Ransack or Sleuthhound]

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=315341

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Free Online Virus Scanners and Security Tests:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Scanners.htm



"Allan C" <allanjrATyahooDOTcom> wrote in message Some time ago (on an XPHome PC), the Search Assistant stopped working. When
we click the "find" button at the top of any Explorer window, the Search
Assistant panel appears on the left but is completely gray blank. (No
animated character, no way to enter searches).

I have read several articles about this and so far these are the steps I
have completed:

I have reinstalled using searchui.inf
Replaced the *.xls files;
Replaced the entire Winnt/srchasst folder from a working machine
Repaired IE6
Reinstalled IE6 (using the MS registry tip under XP)
Did a sfc /scannow (used the CD)
Disabled SA and tried using Classic mode (registry tweak)
Insured I can connect to sa.microsoft.com (ping and traceroute confirm ok)
Ran complete virus, spyware and disk checks (including defragging)

Am I missing a vital step somewhere? The darn SA on WinXP Home is terrible,
we've resorted to purchasing a 3rd party search engine.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Some time ago (on an XPHome PC), the Search Assistant stopped working. When
we click the "find" button at the top of any Explorer window, the Search
Assistant panel appears on the left but is completely gray blank. (No
animated character, no way to enter searches).

I have read several articles about this and so far these are the steps I
have completed:

I have reinstalled using searchui.inf

You probably need to reinstall srchasst.inf

But there is widespread dissatisfaction with the Search - a lot of
people use Agent Ransack instead - www.agentransack.com

 

[Allan C]

True, my typo. My contact at Microsoft made it clear that after installing
SP1 on XPHome, these files (or some variation of them) have changed, and
reinstalling from the original XP CD is not recommended. He indicated it had
to be reinstalled from a XPHome-SP1 disk which they are sending me at no
charge (obviously they know they have a problem). Will post more details
here for others as they arrive.
Allan

 

[PA Bear]

WinXP-SP1 is included in...

Windows Security Update CD (Feb-04)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

....which is prolly what MS is sending you.

List of security updates that are included on the Windows Security Update CD
(Feb-04)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;836570

But I think that tech is full of it. Have you run Spybot or Ad-Aware and
did you have it "fix" Alexa? Search Assistant is Alexa-dependant, Allan:
http://pages.alexa.com/company/index.html?p=TBStartpage_W_t_40_B1
--
HTH - Please Reply to This Thread

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.mvps.org/

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect

 

[Allan C]

Update: Problem solved. Startup w/WinXP CD, choose Install, detect existing
XP installation and R to repair. (Must update all Windows critical updates
and Service Pack now), whew!

Allan