Can't find files that I know are there

  • Thread starter Thread starter Don J
  • Start date Start date
D

Don J

I look at a particular subdirectory on one of my drives and see three files,
'NAME.abc', 'NAME.abc' and 'NAME.abc'. I do a search on 'NAME.*' within the
subdirectory that contains the three files. The three files are very nicely
found in the search. I change the search so that it is done on the entire
partition that contains the subdirectory. The modified search comes up with
nothing. What's going on? How can I correct the problem?

I've been noticing this sort of thing going on for quite awhile. I have
reinstalled windows XP, both complete and partial, several times and have
observed it as occuring after each reinstall. I therefore conclude that the
problem is an inherent part of Windows XP. Yet I don't see any mention of
it in the newsgroups.

What is wrong with my logic?

Don J
 
On the search dialogue page there is the option to "search
sub-directories"


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


|I look at a particular subdirectory on one of my drives and
see three files,
| 'NAME.abc', 'NAME.abc' and 'NAME.abc'. I do a search on
'NAME.*' within the
| subdirectory that contains the three files. The three
files are very nicely
| found in the search. I change the search so that it is
done on the entire
| partition that contains the subdirectory. The modified
search comes up with
| nothing. What's going on? How can I correct the problem?
|
| I've been noticing this sort of thing going on for quite
awhile. I have
| reinstalled windows XP, both complete and partial, several
times and have
| observed it as occuring after each reinstall. I therefore
conclude that the
| problem is an inherent part of Windows XP. Yet I don't
see any mention of
| it in the newsgroups.
|
| What is wrong with my logic?
|
| Don J
|
|
 
Jim Macklin said:
On the search dialogue page there is the option to "search
sub-directories"
Click to expand...

If that doesn't work, along with making sure you have the other options
enabled to see hidden and system files, and if you don't want the
overhead of running the Indexing Service and having to learn SQL-like
queries, get Agent Ransack as a replacement search tool (there is a
freebie version). I had the same problem, got several suggestions for
replacements, and settled on Agent Ransack (www.agentransack.com).
Admittedly they should've use a better name for the product (the
commercal version is called FileLocator Pro).
 
What is the "search dialoue page"? Seems to me that in the process of
setting up my system I encountered an opportunity to unmark a 'search
subdirectories' box, and indeed if my memory serves me right, unmarked it..
But I've looked for a good hour, and darn if I can find the box. How do I
find it?

Don J
 
What is the "search dialoue page"? Seems to me that in the process of
setting up my system I encountered an opportunity to unmark a 'search
subdirectories' box, and indeed if my memory serves me right, unmarked it..
But I've looked for a good hour, and darn if I can find the box. How do I
find it?
Click to expand...

Open Search. In the left hand panel, click on "More Advanced Options."
Various options can be found here including "search subfolders."
 
I've opened Search from the first screen of the main menu. I don't see
anything in the left hand panel labled "More Advanced Options". I have even
changed screens by hitting the "Search" button repeatedly. Still no "More
Advanced Options".

Don J

------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I've opened Search from the first screen of the main menu. I don't see
anything in the left hand panel labled "More Advanced Options". I have even
changed screens by hitting the "Search" button repeatedly. Still no "More
Advanced Options".
Click to expand...

Don, I gave up on XP search very shortly after it was released and haven't
looked back. I liked the first search replacement I used, Agent Ransack
(still available), enough that I upgraded to their shareware program, File
Locator Pro.

If you still want to work with Windows Search, here's a link to a page with
some tips on getting it working again.

"Why doesn't Search work?"
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
 
Back
Top