I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file

[Layback Bear]

Thanks Kari for your posts. Even being a Windows Search person can learn more about Windows Search just like I have. Thank you.

 

[Kari]

You are welcome, Layback.

Windows Search on Seven and Eight has never failed me. I find everything I'm searching, fast and effortless, using this marvelous flexible search tool.

Now I want to see something from my sci-fi collection. Not Star Trek, though.
Search:

[COLOR="DarkRed"]kind:video[/COLOR] [COLOR="DarkGreen"]genre:sci-fi[/COLOR] [COLOR="Navy"]name:~!"Star Trek"[/COLOR]

Kari

 

[Layback Bear]

I have looked on my computer for
kind:video genre:sci-fi name:~!"Star Trek" Can't find it on my computer. Maybe it is behind the inviable black planet.

 

[Kari]

LOL!

Sci-Fi genre must not be a real one, that last search string & filters were to show how to leave something out from results.

Normally it is done with operator NOT, as for instance in kind:image name:Angie NOT name:Kari which would search for images with partial filename Angie, leaving however out files with partial filename Kari so it would find images like Angie in bath.jpg and Angie last Christmas.png but not a file Angie and Kari in bath.bmp

However, sometimes it is better to use operator ~! (tilde & exclamation mark). It can be connected to any filter known to Windows: kind:image name:~!Layback would find all images except those with partial filename Layback, or kind:image created:~!2011 would find all images except those made in year 2011 and so on.

Kari

 

[4wd]

Quote for Kari:

Wrong. Windows does not automatically put that kind of string on search field.

I does. Sorry to contradict an opinion with a fact. Clicking on any of the available options automatically generates "that kind of string".

 

[Kari]

Quote for Kari:

Wrong. Windows does not automatically put that kind of string on search field.

I does. Sorry to contradict an opinion with a fact. Clicking on any of the available options automatically generates "that kind of string".

I was not telling an opinion, I was telling a fact. However, your "facts" become more and more odd.

You are most probably using a modified Windows shell. The syntax kind = XXXXX is simply wrong. I am of course talking default, native command syntax in unmodified Windows.

For those reading this thread later, trying to fix a similar issue or learn something: Please do not let wrong advice, purposely given to advertise a third party solution to confuse you. Of course you will fail in your attempts to use Windows Search if you are using wrong command syntax.

You can test it yourself. Simply write kind:=folder to search field (equal sign not necessary, also kind:folder is OK). Notice how the search argument turns blue (default color) to mark correct syntax:



This search by the way finds all folders on search location, and because of the syntax being correct it should also open the drop down selection of possible search types ("kind").

Then try this wrong syntax 4wd is offering to "show" how bad Windows Search is, writing kind = folder to search field. You notice the text remains black because Windows does not recognize it as a search argument:



Nothing more to say.

Kari

 

[4wd]

Wonder if the OP expected all this when he started lol Anyway,

You are most probably using a modified Windows shell.

Wrong, 2 pc's, stock Ultimate & Home Pro.

The syntax kind = XXXXX is simply wrong.

Was mentioning windows is seen generating such a syntax automatically (as shown in the screenshots). Fact.

Now, why is it so? Ok, a clue: try ticking "use natural..." in Folder > Search.
You may not be familiar with the natural language setting and the way it has implications on the displayed search syntax.

I am of course talking default, native command syntax in unmodified Windows.

Using the 'natural' setting may be seen as modfying windows or the search function, but not in my opinion, it's just an existing and available option.

Meanwhile, am happily finding everything needed, using w7 for some kinds of search, and a dedicated search program at other times. Have a fine day, and let's hope the OP has found his avi's after all this lol

 

[Kari]

You get at least half a point there, I admit I have been talking about default Windows settings.

Seems I can also learn something new. I openly admit I have never used natural language search simply because Windows Search works for me perfectly "out-of-the-box", with default settings.

The syntax will in fact be written as you told when you switch to natural language search. I repeat: In this syntax issue 4wd was right if and when the natural language search is enabled. If it is disabled as is by default, the syntax does not work.

Interesting fact is that this natural language search makes the Windows Search even better!

Kari

 

[4wd]

Thank you + peace and understanding, and hope readers will find lots of stuff of interest in this thread.

 

[shi0n]

Ok. I still haven't solved my problem, LOOL

I've tried what everyone was trying to say. First, the file is accessible via mplayer.exe through cmd.

Can anyone solve it? I still can't find the avi file

 

[Kari]

Type ext:avi name:convert on Explorer search field (Explorer in Computer view), press Enter, when search finishes post a screenshot here showing Explorer window with search results.



Notice please: I have understood you are searching a file called convert.avi. If that is not correct please replace convert in above instructions with the actual file we are looking for without its extension, for example name:ThisFile.

Tutorials to show you how to make good screenshots and post them here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[shi0n]

I've tried that already as well. It's not showing up. It is accessible via mplayer.exe when I run this command in cmd

cd c:\
mplayer convert.avi

then it would run as I have posted on post number 5, but whenever I search for it. The file is nowhere to be found

 

[Kari]

1. change your folder options to allow showing hidden files (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/394-hidden-files-folders-show-hide.html)

2. Go back to my previous post and do as it says once again

Kari

 

[shi0n]

I've done that already, it still doesn't work

 

[Kari]

I am still waiting for you to post a screenshot of your search.

Instructions, including links to tutorials to show you how to make a screenshot and how to post it here, can be seen in this post; http://www.sevenforums.com/music-pi...earching-specific-avi-file-4.html#post2265976

Please do it so we can continue.

Kari

 

[Slartybart]

try one or the other:
when it plays in media player - open he object properties - that will tell you where it "lives"

or
in cmd
cd \
dir /p /s /a convert.avi

/p = pause
/s = subdirectories
/a = all

If you have your drive partitioned or more than one drive, the files might "live" on another partition

cd to each prtition in a cmd prompt and execute the dir cmd until you locate it.

Windows search is very powerful, but it's more akin to a structured query.
1st make sure you open Computer
then enter
type:avi convert
into the search window - youcan use ext: or type: - both work for extentions

Windows Search - advanced tips

Bill
.