Search Companion does not search

[Vaga Bond]

Hi,

I'm facing the following problem. I can customize Search
Companion in Internet Explorer to work inside that program for
Internet searches. However, if I try and perform Internet
searches using the Start | Search button, the Search Companion
after a minute's pause returns the message: "Unable to Connect.
The website is currently unavailable or the connection to the
Internet has been lost. Make sure you are connected to the
Internet and try again."

The point is, I am constantly connected to the Internet. I also
happen to use Firefox and I have changed it from my default
browser to non-default browser in favor of IE, but still there
is no change.

The most noticeable thing is that the Search Companion does
function from within IE, but not from the Start | Search option
of Windows Explorer.

I would appreciate any advice.

Info: Using Windows XP SP2, with all updates installed.

 

[Chad Harris]

Vaga--

I wonder if Search comes up when you hit the Windows key +F? It should.
At any rate, you want to return Search to the Start menu>Select Search the
internet and perhaps customize it to use a specific search engine. Use:

Search is Missing from the Start Menu (Line 70 lt.)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

then use

Windows XP Doesn't Save User Settings (Line 30 lt.)
Save Settings on Exit (Line 54 Rt.)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Also see Kelly's excellent website:

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


I am surprised anyone who gives Firefox or a Mozilla a try would ever favor
IE, but I understand using them both for specific reasons and to each his
own. Firefox is so much faster than IE at its best and eminently more
customizable with its many extensions. Put up Firefox and on that google
pulldown, take a look at all the ways you can customize searches with
different search engines by clicking the Google "G with pulldown arrow" on
the Firefox toolbar and clicking "Add Engines" at the bottom which should
give you the link below with a large number of search alternatives that you
could deploy within IE Search or from the Firefox toolbar or both.

http://mycroft.mozdev.org/download.html

hth,

Chad Harris
_________________________________________

Hi,

I'm facing the following problem. I can customize Search
Companion in Internet Explorer to work inside that program for
Internet searches. However, if I try and perform Internet
searches using the Start | Search button, the Search Companion
after a minute's pause returns the message: "Unable to Connect.
The website is currently unavailable or the connection to the
Internet has been lost. Make sure you are connected to the
Internet and try again."

The point is, I am constantly connected to the Internet. I also
happen to use Firefox and I have changed it from my default
browser to non-default browser in favor of IE, but still there
is no change.

The most noticeable thing is that the Search Companion does
function from within IE, but not from the Start | Search option
of Windows Explorer.

I would appreciate any advice.

Info: Using Windows XP SP2, with all updates installed.

 

[Vaga Bond]

Thank you Chad for the reply. The Windows key + F does bring up
the Search. The problem is after that. In other words, when I
enter a search term and opt for the search to be done over the
Internet, after a minute's delay it comes up with the Unable to
Connect message that I described earlier. The same search if
opened in the IE sidebar works with no problem.

There isn't any problem with my Internet Connection. The message
is misleading. Perhaps it's a case of it timing out if the
search is carried out from the Windows Explorer as opposed to it
being carried out from the IE sidebar? But I don't know why this
should happen.

As regards your comments about Firefox, I agree totally.
However, I don't like mysteries, and this mystery with the
Windows Search is one that I wish I could solve.

 

[Vaga Bond]

Thank you Chad for the reply. The Windows key + F does bring up
the Search. The problem is after that. In other words, when I
enter a search term and opt for the search to be done over the
Internet, after a minute's delay it comes up with the Unable to
Connect message that I described earlier. The same search if
opened in the IE sidebar works with no problem.

There isn't any problem with my Internet Connection. The message
is misleading. Perhaps it's a case of it timing out if the
search is carried out from the Windows Explorer as opposed to it
being carried out from the IE sidebar? But I don't know why this
should happen.

As regards your comments about Firefox, I agree totally.
However, I don't like mysteries, and this mystery with the
Windows Search is one that I wish I could solve.

 

[Chad Harris]

Vaga--

I understand. I thought part of the problem was that you just wanted to see
Search on your start menu, but besides that it's glitching with internet
search functionality. Maybe someone will understand why this is happening
and pinpoint a direct fix. And much of the fun is understanding why
something's not doing the job and getting around the snag. I don't know
*why exactly your search won't connect on the web*, but although Kelly's fix
may correct that. Try this from Ramesh's site:

Microsoft Windows XP - Tips & Fixes

Search Menu Fix Tool--Lucky 13th Link Down (right).
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/

Chad Harris

_________________________________________

Thank you Chad for the reply. The Windows key + F does bring up
the Search. The problem is after that. In other words, when I
enter a search term and opt for the search to be done over the
Internet, after a minute's delay it comes up with the Unable to
Connect message that I described earlier. The same search if
opened in the IE sidebar works with no problem.

There isn't any problem with my Internet Connection. The message
is misleading. Perhaps it's a case of it timing out if the
search is carried out from the Windows Explorer as opposed to it
being carried out from the IE sidebar? But I don't know why this
should happen.

As regards your comments about Firefox, I agree totally.
However, I don't like mysteries, and this mystery with the
Windows Search is one that I wish I could solve.

 

[Vaga Bond]

Thank you for the reply and the suggestion. I had seen that link
some time ago, but unfortunately it is just an executable
program with no explanation about what it does. I am a little
reluctant to run it, not knowing what it may do. Naturally, I
wouldn't like to make things worse!

Is there a way to find out what the particular program does?

 

[Chad Harris]

There very probably is. If you scroll down on the webpage, Ramesh has a
Contact hyperlink that probably opens up your default email client. I'm
sure he can context it for you and stands a lot better chance than I do at
pinpointing the exact search-internet connection problem--he is an MVP for
Windows networking among other topics. The address he gives on his frequent
posts here (you will see them if you scroll down) is:

(e-mail address removed)@mvps.org

You might have to take the nojunkmails out and use (e-mail address removed)

Ramesh is an MVP and veteran at leading tech support, and very frequent
poster here and on many other forums including Aumha from whom I've learned
a lot. I wouldn't hesitate to trust his fixes.

Let me know how you make out and what you learn.

Chad Harris
_____________________


Thank you for the reply and the suggestion. I had seen that link
some time ago, but unfortunately it is just an executable
program with no explanation about what it does. I am a little
reluctant to run it, not knowing what it may do. Naturally, I
wouldn't like to make things worse!

Is there a way to find out what the particular program does?

 

[Chad Harris]

I downloaded this fix and there is this information:

This tool fixes the following symptoms:

1. Nothing happens when you click any of the submenus in Start > Search

2. The following sub-menus are missing under Search:
a. "For Files or Folders"
b. "On the Internet"
c. "For People"

3. You receive an error box with Yellow exclamation while performing a
file/folder Search

I'd take advantage of the "Contact" link on the site to get more
information.

Chad Harris
_________________________________________________


Thank you for the reply and the suggestion. I had seen that link
some time ago, but unfortunately it is just an executable
program with no explanation about what it does. I am a little
reluctant to run it, not knowing what it may do. Naturally, I
wouldn't like to make things worse!

Is there a way to find out what the particular program does?

 

[Vaga Bond]

In my case *nothing* appears above the dog at the bottom of the sidebar, instead
of my missing just the three sub-menus. Anyway, I think your idea to use the contact
link is worth trying.

Otherwise, it will be a case of format-reinstall.

 

[Vaga Bond]

I'm delighted to say that the mystery has been solved. The
answer was found in a very roundabout and rather strange way. I
was trying to help a friend who had some problem blank pages in
Internet Explorer while trying to register himself with Windows
Messenger. The suggested solution, as I found out, included
running the command regsvr32 urlmon.dll.

He ran the command and his problem was solved. Somewhow, it
clicked with me to try this command as well and I was very
pleased to see that this also solved the problem with the Search
using the Start | Search sequence!

Now, I can do Internet searches using Start | Search as well as
using Internet Explorer.

Taking this opportunity, thank you again, Chad for responding to
my queries.

 

[Chad Harris]

Thanks for the followup--I appreciate learning that command helped.
Searching for search fixes brings command up often as do solutions for the
IE blank page and Windows Explorer blank window problem, and MSKB's on a
blank IE browser Window problem:

You cannot open a new Internet Explorer window or nothing occurs after you
click a link
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q281679

Nothing Happens when you try to Search
http://www.searchthingy.com/problems.htm

8321 » Is your Windows Explorer folder pane blank?
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBQ/tip8300/rh8321.htm

Unable to Open New Windows in Windows XP
http://www.anetforums.com/posts.aspx?ThreadIndex=8917

This reminds me to recommend another feature of Kelly's site--her A to Z
which is a great source and take a look at her discussion of regserver32
commands:

From Kelly's A to Z:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_qr.htm

This command-line tool registers .dll files as command components in the
registry. For more information about changes to the functionality of MS-DOS
commands, new command-line tools, command shell functionality, configuring
the command prompt, and automating commmand-line tasks, see Command-line
reference.

RegSvr32 - Graphical Interface
This program allows to register/unregister DLLs using RegSvr32 tool which is
included with Windows. This program is very easy even for beginners.
Additionally, it shows a way to find windows\system directory location
properly. A handy utility that will help you avoid the inconvenience of
running regsvr32 from the start menu all the time. CodeRegshell.zip


http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/regsvr32.mspx

Regsvr32 (Special thanks to David Candy)
You can use the Regsvr32 tool (Regsvr32.exe) to register and un-register
object linking and embedding (OLE) controls such as dynamic-link library
(DLL) or ActiveX Controls (OCX) files that are self-registerable. This may
be necessary to troubleshoot some issues with Windows, Microsoft Internet
Explorer, or other programs. Go to: Start/Run

regsvr32 Shdocvw.dll (restores registry settings for html and http)
regsvr32 Shell32.dll
regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 Actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 Mshtml.dll
regsvr32 Urlmon.dll
regsvr32 msi.dll
regsvr32 Shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 Shell32.dll
regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 Actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 Mshtml.dll
regsvr32 Urlmon.dll
regsvr32 /i shell32 (restores registry settings for drives,
folders, and some others)
regsvr32 sendmail

Chad Harris

____________________________________________


I'm delighted to say that the mystery has been solved. The
answer was found in a very roundabout and rather strange way. I
was trying to help a friend who had some problem blank pages in
Internet Explorer while trying to register himself with Windows
Messenger. The suggested solution, as I found out, included
running the command regsvr32 urlmon.dll.

He ran the command and his problem was solved. Somewhow, it
clicked with me to try this command as well and I was very
pleased to see that this also solved the problem with the Search
using the Start | Search sequence!

Now, I can do Internet searches using Start | Search as well as
using Internet Explorer.

Taking this opportunity, thank you again, Chad for responding to
my queries.