Indexing failure

[nevinmann]

I have been on this forum for hours trying to get Windows 7 Index to work - rebuild.
Do any of the experts have an answer? Or can someone help by asking me questions?

 

[ie9]

Where in the process does it fail?

 

[nevinmann]

Failure is immediately following the mouse click to Index.

 

[James Colbert]

Failure is immediately following the mouse click to Index.

Do you mean clicking on the 'Rebuild' button? Can you give us more info? Any error messages? How does 'failure' manifest?

James

 

[nevinmann]

Thanks. In your screen shot, I noticed "delete and rebuild option."

When I click on Rebuild, I get a warning about "This may take a long time," and when the warning window is dispatched, there is a message "Indexing complete, 0 files indexed."
There are no error messages.

 

[James Colbert]

1st, if this is a recent issue, I recommend you do a System Restore, choosing a restore point pre-dating the issue.

If you don't have any restore points or backups pre-dating the issue, or if it doesn't resolve the issue:

1) Press the windows key, type 'services' (minus quotes)
2) As per the screenshot, see if the Windows Search service is running.

It should be running and the startup type should be Automatic. If it isn't:

3) Double click on the service and see if you can start the service by clicking Start (it could be greyed out)
4) You can also change the start up type here, if it's not already set to Automatic (if it says delayed start in parenthesis, it's OK).

James

 

[nevinmann]

No. That's not the problem. I looked at this early on. any other ideas?

 

[James Colbert]

No. That's not the problem. I looked at this early on. any other ideas?

It would help to know what you have tried so that we can eliminate that from the process. Also, any and all detail regarding error messages, whether the search service is running or not, how long it's been occurring (since installation or a recent event?), any other related issues or information so that we don't waste time on resolutions that you've already tried.

Your response is vague and does not indicate if you tried the System Restore method? Also, filling out your system specs would be helpful. All of this information will help us to help you. 'That's not the problem' doesn't help me at all. Please be as specific as possible.

James

 

[FliGi7]

I'm lacking understanding of how this is a "failure" if there are no error messages. Are you certain there are folders in the list to be indexed? If so, you might try just writing down what they are, removing them, adding them back, and trying the delete/rebuild option.

 

[nevinmann]

I

[FONT=&quot]1. [/FONT]I tried to upload the Word file that captures the information you requested, but I can't be sure it uploaded alright. Here's a cut/paste of that document.



Indexing
[FONT=&quot]a. [/FONT]I have reset nearly every setting I can see,. e.g. drives, folders, file extensions, index location, properties & contents indexing
[FONT=&quot]b. [/FONT]I have run the troubleshooter a dozen times
[FONT=&quot]c. [/FONT]Here’s the latest screen shot

[FONT=&quot]2. [/FONT]System Information
[FONT=&quot]a. [/FONT]ACPI x86-based PC
[FONT=&quot]b. [/FONT]Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU [email protected] 2.93
[FONT=&quot]c. [/FONT]RAM 2G
[FONT=&quot]d. [/FONT]32 bit OS
[FONT=&quot]e. [/FONT]MSFT ID 00359-OEM-8702182-44420 --Home Premium
[FONT=&quot]3. [/FONT]Tried resetting the Drive settings
[FONT=&quot]a. [/FONT]Computer\R-Clk-Local Disk (C\Properties\uncheck “Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed..”\re-boot\retry indexing\=0 files indexed
[FONT=&quot]b. [/FONT]Same as #1, on Disk D
[FONT=&quot]4. [/FONT]In God Mode
[FONT=&quot]a. [/FONT]Review recent messages and resolve problems
[FONT=&quot] i. [/FONT]Problem reporting – checked for solutions of problems reported to MSFT
[FONT=&quot]1. [/FONT]PPT had a problem – it was fixed
[FONT=&quot]2. [/FONT]Windows had a problem * it got fixed
[FONT=&quot]b. [/FONT]Program compatibility troubleshooter\ran for Outlook, because Outlook search is not working
[FONT=&quot] i. [/FONT]No result or change

[FONT=&quot]c. [/FONT]System restore, no recent restore points even though I thought I had set this to restore with every new software install
[FONT=&quot]d. [/FONT]Folder options\search – restored to default
[FONT=&quot]5. [/FONT]Installed “FileSeek,” a search program, to workaround Windows issue
[FONT=&quot]6. [/FONT]Now use Mozilla desk top search program to workaround Windows

 

[James Colbert]

First, thank you for the additional information. As system specs go, though, here is a link explaining how to fill out your system specs so that they show up in the 'My System Specs' link (when clicked on) at the bottom of each post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/8-forum-rules-info-please-read.html#post256049

That said, a few questions (which will be moot if the Power Scheme suggestion or links provide resolution) and a few links:

Questions:

1) Problem is a recent development, or never worked?
2) Is the Windows Search service running and set to automatically start?
3) Did you try to move the index to a new location? This can sometimes cause issues.


Suggestions:


1) Set System Restore to monitor Drive C:\. You can reduce the amount of space it uses by:

1. Right click on Computer, choose Properties
2. on left, choose System Protection
3. Make sure System (C) monitoring is turned on
4. If desired, configure space usage via the Configure button

2) Check your Power Options settings (Changing Power Plans):

• Are you set at 'Power Saver' mode? Try setting to 'Balanced' or 'High Performance'

• (check Indexing Options (I.O.). after the change. If Index still not running, restart system, check I.O. again. Is it running?)

Be sure and read (at least peruse) the entire thread in the first 2 links, as there are multiple suggestions!


Links:

This link has a few suggestions (including the Power Options fix). Some of the posts suggest registry edits. Be sure to create a System Restore Point and a registry backup first!:

Codeka.com • Search stuffed in Vista?

This link suggests that repairing or reinstalling Office is a solution:

Search stops working in Outlook 2007


And finally, here is a google search that returns a lot of info. You should be able to find some resolution here (if not in the 2 links above):

"0 items indexed" "indexing complete" windows 7 - Google Search

• Post back with any questions or problems. Also, please let us know what worked (if any).
• Bringing this thread to conclusion helps others who might have the same problem.

James

 

[nevinmann]

Answers to James:
1. Accurate search results have been a problem for about a year. However. Outlook issues just started.
2. Indexing service is and has been on auto start.
3. I may have moved the index location. But, I don't know how to tell this. I can see where indexes are supposed to reside. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THIS?

I tried re-setting access options using the instruction on codeka.com adn nothing resulted in a fix
I changed the power settings on this PC and no result in indexing was experienced.
I have been searching Google and have not found a solution.

Nevin

 

[James Colbert]

3. I may have moved the index location. But, I don't know how to tell this. I can see where indexes are supposed to reside. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THIS?

The current location of the index is shown on the same Properties page as the Rebuild Index button, as per the image in this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/140745-indexing-failure.html#post1209065

I just got back to my office. I'll further investigate the issue as time permits. There is generally a solution for these things. A last resort might be a Repair Install (not sure it would resolve the problem). One thing you might try while waiting is SFC:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Also, someone may come up with a solution while we're still looking.

James

 

[nevinmann]

James,
I know where the Index file is set to go, if if is ever created. I just don't know where it was when all this conflama started.

Thanks for the scan tip. I'll try that.
Nevin

 

[James Colbert]

Try:

1) Stop the Windows Search services
2) In Windows Explorer, browse to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows
3) Locate the file Windows.edb
4) Copy the file to a different location (a holding folder)
5) In the above mentioned directory (C:\ProgramData...), delete the Windows.edb file
6) Restart your machine
7) Check Indexing Options. Cross fingers . Is indexing running properly?

If not, again, go to services.msc and check to see if Windows Search service is running (and set to start automatically).

If not, start it and return to I.O. to check index.

And finally, if not, rebuild the index. Post back and let us know.


James

 

[nevinmann]

James,
We may be getting closer to a solution.
1. I have a C: and D: drive
2. Most of the programs are in C: and data is in D:
3. However, there are programs in both drives and both drives have a "Program Files" folder
4. Drive D: is the only drive that has a "Program Data" folder
5. In D:\Program Data\Microsoft, there is no "Search" folder
6. I tried looking in C: for a"Search" folder, but without success

What do you suggest from here?
Thanks again for your help.
Nevin

 

[James Colbert]

As a quick suggestion, try turning the windows service off and restarting it (or have you already tried that?)

 

[nevinmann]

James,
I did turn services off, on, off and on several times before. I tried rebooting under various conditions, no luck.
Nevin

 

[James Colbert]

You must have moved the program data folder at some point. Do you remember the process?

 

[James Colbert]

Make sure you have hidden files showing, then Start/Run then type %programdata%. Does WE pop up? What's the path?