Solved Search programs and files blank/no results

[sloth1]

oh, duh..I was following some directions that told me it was under accessories>system tools.

Thanks!

Will report back after I try deleting the EDB file.

 

[sloth1]

James, on step 1 It says to stop windows search services. I understand to get there you need to type 'services' in windows search. Since I can't do that, where can I find this?

thanks

 

[James Colbert]

Start Menu|Right click on Computer, choose Manage, choose Services from the left pane.

Or, you can go to C:\Windows\System32\Services.msc.

 

[sloth1]

Got it turned off, hmm...

When I went to copy the windows.edb file, it said 'The action can not be completed because this file is open in windows search.'

 

[James Colbert]

Check Control Panel\Indexing Options. Is index running?

 

[sloth1]

I would assume it is running? I can't tell. If it is, should I turn it off, and how?

 

[James Colbert]

Try checking task manager to see if it's running. You'll have to click the Show Process from All Users button. If it is, end the process:

 

[sloth1]

ugh, it was in there, and I ended it. It still says that windows search is using the file and I can't copy it.

hmmmph.

 

[sloth1]

I went to look again, and I see searchIndexer there again. It seems it just comes right back after I end it.

 

[James Colbert]

Double check Services. Is it still running? Double click on the Windows Search service, click on stop, set the startup type to disabled, as in screenshot, then check TM process to see if it's still running.

 

[sloth1]

ah, that was it. Finally got it copied, now for the rest of the steps.

 

[James Colbert]

After you've backed up windows.edb to another location and deleted the original, don't forget to restart the service, setting it back to Automatic.

 

[sloth1]

Deleted the edb file, restarted windows search and set it to automatic, restarted the computer...and same problem

it was a valiant effort. It seems the only way to get it working would be to (maybe) create another user account. Any more ideas?

appreciate all the help.

 

[James Colbert]

The hotfix mentioned earlier (for which you can't find the download) doesn't seem to apply to your case, but it's worth a shot, and the link gives instructions on how to manually merge it to the registry. Regedit can be found in C:\Windows. Give it a shot. It can't hurt.

I'm running out to grab a bite. I'll check this thread when I get back. Also, don't forget to re-enable the Windows Search Service.

 

[James Colbert]

Also, it's in the thread I linked to, but I should have told you to check indexing options again. Is it now reindexing? If it is, it could take a little time to produce results.

 

[James Colbert]

Also, I think I asked before, but have you made any changes to the system prior to this issue? User folders, Libraries? Anything else?

 

[sloth1]

were you referring to this link about the registry Fix Windows 7 Start Menu Search Problem If so, the folder it tells me to delete in the registry is not there.

Indexing is running, and re-indexing. It just finished and still a completely blank search.

Nope, 0 changes to any of those. Just the installation of Malwarebytes and then SP1.

It's so mind boggling, especially since the search function runs perfect on the Guest account. I really don't want to create a new user account and copy everything over, since I'm not familiar with that, but if it's what gets my search working I may have to.

Any more ideas are welcome. Thanks again.

 

[James Colbert]

I'd like to get to the bottom of this, since it's occurred for others and there seems to be no solution, but that may not be practical. Here is a link to a method for copying your user profile over to a new account. I recommend first imaging your system partition so that if anything goes awry, you can at least restore to a working system.

If you don't have imaging software, many here recommend the Free Macrium Reflect. You will need to save the image to a partition other than that which you are imaging.

Here's the link:

Windows 7 Start search menu displays empty result. - Microsoft Answers

You should propbably read through the entire thread. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[sloth1]

yeah, it seems every possible solution has been tried, and the only 'fix' isn't really a fix, but a work-around.

I've never done the imaging thing before. I do have a partition with absolutely nothing on it that I can put it in, however how does this work? I run the program and it's pretty much step by step? I have 2 HDDs. My main HDD with windows and program files and then a storage HDD with data. I would just need to make an image of the main HDD, right? Sorry, this is all new to me.

I actually read that thread from Answers. I read like 20 before coming here. Search Programs and files shows no results after W7 service pack 1 - Microsoft Answers This thread starter has my problem exactly, especially where it's related to SP1.

 

[James Colbert]

No need for sorry . It's what this forum is about. Here's a link to a tutorial on how to create a disk image:

Macrium KB

And here's a list of their tutorials:

Macrium Reflect Disk Imaging and Backup - Tutorials

And this will also be useful (do create the boot disk):

Macrium KB

Hopefully, that thread will get you back to normal.