Search Indexing won't work at all - greyed out

[PaulaSnap]

I've had my Vista-based laptop four months now, and finally getting enough
email and files that searches are becoming a problem...My indexing doesn't
exist somehow. Does anyone know how to turn it on?

I've gone into the Indexing Options in the control panel - everything is
greyed out except the CLOSE button. No files are listed, and I cannot click
on MODIFY or ADVANCED.

When I'm in MS Outlook and Click on "Indexing Status", I get a pop up error
message saying " Cannot find this file. Verify the path and file name are
correct.

I have several PST files that I use for work and inevitably my searches will
exclude half of my emails. Lately I've had to troll file by file through my
emails.. not pretty

I've been unable to find anything in online Help relating to this situation.
Has anyone seen it before and if so, what am I missing; what do I need to do?

THANKS in advance

 

[Dave Wood [MSFT]]

I would suggest trying the preview of Windows Search 4, which updates the
Vista indexer with a newer version with many bug fixes:

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/w...nnouncing-the-windows-search-4-0-preview.aspx

I will try it - but I need to point out that this entire thread is about
several people experiencing this problem (as well as many others all
around the net).

The problem did not suddenly appear - but is one that many people
experience with Vista. I've been having this issue for months and
months (I guess for as long as I've had vista)

Also I am quite certain I've got all the basics covered (no virus s/w
conflicts, malware etc etc).

I don't think this issue is specific to my machine. There are a set
of odd conditions on Vista that causes this state of affairs (just like
the ubiquitous complaint that Vista is amazingly slow in
copying/renaming/deleting files - this is not due to any newbie blunder,
but is a major downside of vista)

Thanks for the attempt. Has anyone had direct experience with this
specific indexing issue?

Run sfc /scannow in Safe Mode.

If no joy:

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of
these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
Consider this: Whenever a new error condition appears on your computer,
it
is almost certain that there was some change to the computer soon
before the
problem began.
'The Parasite Fight' (http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm)
Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
'Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315)
'The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol'
(http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm)
'page2'
(http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware)
'Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites'
(http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm)
'All about spyware' (http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html)
'Prevent Spyware from being installed'
(http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm)
'The Parasite Fight' (http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php)

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
'Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315)

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger
Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to
convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
'Why did I get infected in the first place - Wilders Security Forums'
(http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971)

Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and
see
what else is
being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure of.
-------
*Report back, please*
[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying
to so
that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]
'How to ask a question' (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375)

OK .. reporting back.
ran ... SFC /Scannow
saw a quick flicker of a dos command window pop up and disappear.
And
that's it. Indexing etc still severly broken.
Perhaps there were more details to the solution?





Bob;667849 Wrote: