Search does not work properly

[Nikolay]

Dear all,

I've faced an issue I must not observe and I'm confused
very much. To reproduce the issue please do the following:

1. Create any folder.

2. Create few files in this directory: f1.txt, f2.txt,
f3.java, f4.inf, thread.java

3. Type the following strings in the files:
f1.txt -> f1
f2.txt -> f2
f3.java -> thread
f4.inf -> thread
thread.java -> thread

4. Run Search for the specified directory:
"Search by any or all of the criteria below."
"All or part of the file name:" *.*
"A word or phrase in the file:" thread

5. As a result WinXP/Search will find and notify about two
files: f4.inf, thread.java

My question is why MS WinXP did not find the word "thread"
in the file f3.java? Who can answer?

Thank you very much in advance,
Nikolay.

P.S. That's my first request to MS NewsGroups and I'm not
sure I'll read the group regularly, so please answer if
you can and do CC to (e-mail address removed).

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Dear all,

I've faced an issue I must not observe and I'm confused
very much. To reproduce the issue please do the following:

1. Create any folder.

2. Create few files in this directory: f1.txt, f2.txt,
f3.java, f4.inf, thread.java

3. Type the following strings in the files:
f1.txt -> f1
f2.txt -> f2
f3.java -> thread
f4.inf -> thread
thread.java -> thread

4. Run Search for the specified directory:
"Search by any or all of the criteria below."
"All or part of the file name:" *.*
"A word or phrase in the file:" thread

5. As a result WinXP/Search will find and notify about two
files: f4.inf, thread.java

My question is why MS WinXP did not find the word "thread"
in the file f3.java? Who can answer?

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

 

[Guest]

Hello Torgeir Bakken,

Thank you very much for your support!
I've followed the instructions from:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-
US;309173 and it works fine now.

Thanks a lot again,
Nikolay.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I've faced an issue I must not observe and I'm confused
very much.

It only searches for text in a very limited number of types - they must
either have registry entries saying they are pure Text (.TXT and not
much else) or have known ;filters' to handle embedded format controls,
so that Search can avoid being confused by thinking those are characters
in 16 bit Unicode (eg .doc, .htm). You can add an additional type as
pure text provided you know that it *is* that, and that its extension
does not already have a 'PersistentHandler' in the registry. Make the
following, after - - start and before - - end into a file by cut/paste
to NotePad. Make sure there is a blank line at the end. Save as
"Patch.reg" then d-click on this file to enter it into the registry.
This is for .inf - modify that for other extensions, with care.

- - start
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.inf\PersistentHandler]
@="{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"


- - end