Windows Search Index not working

I have a question if I may.

How much free space is on the drive/partition you are having problems with indexing??

Take your time, I'll be here when you get back.

Don't know what Laybackbear is thinking as regards to disk space, he might be thinking that if you don't have enough room, search may not work.
If you want a third-party search have Layback tell you about a tool he uses, called: Everything.

Steve you are correct.
That is exactly what I was thinking. I see their is plenty of free space.
You two have covered so many things, so I'm just thinking a little out of the box.

I have another thought that might be helpful.

List all programs installed. One of them might be causing a problem.
Ccleaner is a good method of showing all installed programs.

**Has any program by IObit ever been installed?**

If I understand correct a Repair Install or Clean Install is not desired. Is that correct?

I do useEverything.
I also use Windows 7 built in Indexing. They both work properly.

This tutorial by Brink can be use to verify that all the Defaults are set properly.

Services - Restore Default Services in Windows 7

If you all want me to stop thinking just let me know.
I surly don't want to get in the way.

Layback Bear
Jack

You're right about everything we've tried and I'm about tapped out for ideas so creative thinking is always welcome Jack.
LevelBest is working on a bigger problem with his machine so this indexing problem may be associated with that, but he wants to keep mum about it for now and I respect his wishes.

A list of installed programs would be helpful to go over, sometimes I'll request a BSOD report even if a member hasn't had a BSOD because the report can show detail that some information programs don't always pick up on like msinfo, and or sysinfo would.

A Repair or Clean Install would be a last resort; From Level's ninth post:

LevelBest said:

I don't have an installation disk with my windows 7, apparently (so I was told by the place I purchased the laptop from) windows 7 wasn't issued with one. A repair install is a last option and not one I would want to do if perchance, I've solved the first problem. However, if it's not, then a repair install will probably be what I'll have to do.

LevelBest

Have you seen this post yet Jack?

z3r010 said:

The guys at Heidoc have made an app that generates direct microsoft links (valid for 24 hours) to Windows 7/8/10 and office ISO's.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/techno...-download-tool

As these are direct from Microsoft I can't see any harm in pointing people needing ISO's that way rather than them getting dodgy ones from a torrent etc.

The Heidoc guys new tool does make getting a new .iso much easier than working directly with the Microsoft site.

Thanks for the default services link, I'm having a permissions problem myself with one program since I had to uninstall and hide KB315939, see post #29

I'm okay with your suggestions and no, don't stop thinking you don't want to get rusty do you?


Clear skies to you both!

Steve...aka...Anak

Hi guys

I've had a look at 'everything' - so that would be an option if I want a search/index facility in the future.

I've attached a word doc containing 5 screenshots of all programmes. I tend not to download much software/programmes, try to keep the computer as clean as possible. I've not heard of IObit.

Yes, a clean install/repair is not an option right now whilst I'm waiting to see the outcome of the first, larger problem.

As far as I'm aware, all the defaults for index/search are correct - I've not changed anything (I was unaware of the facility until I was searching for a file in system and it said to turn on indexing). If I search via the start orb, it will find what I guess is system files or things like system restore, it just won't find any word, excel, powerpoint docs.

I did see something this morning on the net saying this problem had been resolved by deleting all BLF and REGTRANS files in System 32/Config/TxR. Not sure if that's worth a go.

Would be grateful to hear if you see anything suspect in programmes.

Thanks guys, your ongoing support is much appreciated.

LevelBest

PS: I've noticed this morning that the registry has a new line 'Rebuild Index' - value 2 - which wasn't there before. Is that significant? Would it be worth changing it to 1 or 0? (screenshot attached).

My apologies on not replying yesterday, real life pulled me away and most likely will today and tomorrow; Best time for me will be before Noon local time [UTC -5].


I had a look at your program list and the only ones I have misgivings with are the McAfee products and maybe that google toolbar for IE, the toolbar shouldn't give problems with indexing, but the McAfee has, by my past experiences.

About your "April problem" Your list shows that you have installed programs dated 04/25/2011 [which I assume came pre-installed with the laptop] It seems odd that now after 5years almost to the day some problem(s) would rear its/their ugly head(s).

To troubleshoot you may want to uninstall all programs installed in April 2016 [04/2016], then see if your problems go away, then add them back one at a time to see if it triggers the problem again.
If it helps, I run a Cannon MG3200 series printer with 11 associated programs, I show the MP drivers but not the navigator, MP deals with the scanner side of the machine, strange though yours is showing two installs of navigator I would think one is okay, but two? The reason why I don't show navigator could be the different ways things are done here in the States as compared to the UK:



Just a reaffirmation, Have you set up the indexing options to find those word processing files?

• How to Add or Remove Index Locations in Windows 7 and Windows 8

• How to Add or Remove a File Type from the Index in Windows 7 and Windows 8

I did see something this morning on the net saying this problem had been resolved by deleting all BLF and REGTRANS files in System 32/Config/TxR. Not sure if that's worth a go.

You can try it, it's the manual way of doing the CLFS transaction logs - Reset minus the %windir%\System32\SMI\Store\Machine files, if just doing the TxR folder doesn't bring indexing back move on to the store\machine folder and remove the BLF and REGTRANS files also, you may see a few LOG, text, DAT files there, leave those alone.

Some items to remember:

• Show hidden files folders: Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide

• To test, reboot after you delete the files in theTxR folder, and again if you empty the store\machine files.

PS: I've noticed this morning that the registry has a new line 'Rebuild Index' - value 2 - which wasn't there before. Is that significant? Would it be worth changing it to 1 or 0? (screenshot attached).

I've done an extensive "search" for that sub-key but haven't come up with any authoritative answers.
"My best guess?" Windows will keep an accounting of how many times the index has been rebuilt; For what reason I do not know, but if I ever do find out I will be sure to let you know.

What would I do? I'd delete the key and make sure that SetupCompletedSuccessfully key is set to zero (0) reboot and test.

• You did backup the registry didn't you? Registry - Backup and Restore

Now; On to take care of the holiday!


Steve

Good call.
Going alone the suggestion that Steve has left this tutorial by Brink should be helpful.

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

@ LevelBest, sorry for tuning in a bit late on your Search problem, but are you running a Samsung SSD & have used the Samsung Magician to set up OS Optimisation. If so it will disable Windows Search as it causes excessive read/writes. This quote is from it.

"Windows automatically indexes the contents of data files stored on the disk in order to produce very fast keyword search results.
In addition to taking up extra space on the storage device, this feature requires frequent read/write operations".

I have found that the Magician will disable Search, but you can override it in the Optimisation section.