Windows search function doesn't work anymore

[Needhelp]

When I go to Start then Search; the search function no longer works. The page
opens but it is blank with no search box. Where did it go ? Do I have to
reinstall something ?? Help anyone.

 

[Randem]

Perhaps you have Windows Search installed. It does conflict with the old
method of searching. You can uninstall it, it is also a cpu hog. If you
don't have it installed check your toolbars to see if there is anything
strange there.

--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
http://www.rndem.com/installerproblems.html
http://www.randem.com/vistainstalls.html
http://www.financialtrainingservices.org

 

[Malke]

When I go to Start then Search; the search function no longer works. The
page opens but it is blank with no search box. Where did it go ? Do I have
to reinstall something ?? Help anyone.

The First Question Of Troubleshooting: If the problem is new, what changed
between the time things worked and the time they didn't?

If you can't figure out the answer to the First Question:

Start>Run>regsvr32 jscript.dll [OK]
Start>Run>regsvr32 %Windir%\srchasst\srchui.dll [OK]

In both cases you should get a message box saying that the registration was
successful; OK out of it.

If that doesn't work, reinstall by looking in the hidden Windows\inf folder
for the srchasst.inf file, right-click and take Install. If you don't see
this, then you don't have hidden files set to be visible:

Make sure you are able to see all hidden files and extensions (View tab in
Folder Options). In XP, there are four checkboxes to deal with:

a. Check "Display the contents of system folders".
b. Check "Show hidden files and folders".
c. Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".
d. Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and click "OK" to the
dialog box.

After you're finished, I suggest re-hiding Item d. above and leaving the
rest visible.

Malke

 

[Needhelp]

Hi
I tried the two Run things that you suggested and the mesage box said it
was o.k. When I go start search the page opens there is a little magnifying
glass for search but when you click it nothing happens, there is no search
box or the little dog that you usually see. Then I tried the hidden folder; I
am not to sure how to find this; I managed to check all the tabs under
folder options like you suggested but don't really know where to find
srchasst.inf file.Could you please give me some more information. Search used
to work fine but I'm not to sure when it quit working. Thanks for your help
so far.
--
thanks

When I go to Start then Search; the search function no longer works. The
page opens but it is blank with no search box. Where did it go ? Do I have
to reinstall something ?? Help anyone.

The First Question Of Troubleshooting: If the problem is new, what changed
between the time things worked and the time they didn't?

If you can't figure out the answer to the First Question:

Start>Run>regsvr32 jscript.dll [OK]
Start>Run>regsvr32 %Windir%\srchasst\srchui.dll [OK]

In both cases you should get a message box saying that the registration was
successful; OK out of it.

If that doesn't work, reinstall by looking in the hidden Windows\inf folder
for the srchasst.inf file, right-click and take Install. If you don't see
this, then you don't have hidden files set to be visible:

Make sure you are able to see all hidden files and extensions (View tab in
Folder Options). In XP, there are four checkboxes to deal with:

a. Check "Display the contents of system folders".
b. Check "Show hidden files and folders".
c. Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".
d. Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and click "OK" to the
dialog box.

After you're finished, I suggest re-hiding Item d. above and leaving the
rest visible.

Malke

 

[Malke]

Hi
I tried the two Run things that you suggested and the mesage box said it
was o.k. When I go start search the page opens there is a little
magnifying glass for search but when you click it nothing happens, there
is no search box or the little dog that you usually see. Then I tried the
hidden folder; I
am not to sure how to find this; I managed to check all the tabs under
folder options like you suggested but don't really know where to find
srchasst.inf file.Could you please give me some more information. Search
used to work fine but I'm not to sure when it quit working. Thanks for
your help so far.

As I said, srchasst.inf is in C:\Windows\Inf.

If reinstalling Search from srchasst.inf doesn't work, then it will be hard
to troubleshoot without seeing the machine.

Is the computer virus/malware-free?
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Do other things work? Do you have your data backed up before you go further
with this? I just don't know enough about your machine to give you focused
help.

Depending on your level of computer skills, you may decide to take the
machine to a local professional instead. I don't recommend using a
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place.

Malke

 

[Ramesh Srinivasan, MS-MVP]

Fix Windows XP Search Companion Displaying a Blank Window - The
Winhelponline Blog:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/fix-xp-search-companion-blank-window/

 

[Needhelp]

Hi I decided not to try to install Search from srch.inf as the windows Xp cd
I have is version servicepack 1a . Although my computer is updated to service
pack 2, I don't feel knowledgable enough to proceed further. Everything else
seems to be working well as I have up to date Virus Firewall etc . Thanks