windows search fucntion not working

[jerry101010]

using 7 pro
64 bit

search not working- does not give any response-
in folder- type in anything, no response
in windows button start menu search- white screen- with see more results link- click on that "windows can not access the specified device, path or file"
in outlook- ie email search-shuts down program

what have I tried:
safe mode- no change
re-index -did not work
ran chkdsk - did not fix
ran mr fixit- micorsoft did not work
control panel-trouble shooting- search and indexing- did not work
sfc /scannow -did not work

turn windows features on or off
control panel- programs and features -turn windows features on or off - turned on indexing
changed index location from
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft
To
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

tried deleting files all files with .BLF and .REGTRANS-MS extension in the following directory:

C:\windows\system32\config\TxR

created another account - worked on other account

 

[VistaKing]

Hi Jerry

Check inside services if windows search is started.

Click on rb: type in Services.msc and press enter . If you get an UAC Window click on yes to continue .

 

[jerry101010]

yes it is for got to mention - had also tried turning that on and off

not trying to be a smart ass but want to make sure you understand that ... rb: type in Services.msc .... will not work because search is not working -

 

[VistaKing]

Ah yes . Stupid me

Delete the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}

 

[jerry101010]

hmmm- does not exist

there are 7 entries - 4 have subfolders "top views" with 1-2 entries within (total 13)
3 appear to be duplicates- all within topview

 

[VistaKing]

Have you tried this Right click on Start and then on Properties. On the screen that comes up, click on Customize. Then scroll down near the bottom of that list to "Search othe files and libraries. Insert a radio button just on "Search with Public Folders

 

[jerry101010]

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{0B2BAAEB-0042-4DCA-AA4D-3EE8648D03E5}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{36011842-DCCC-40FE-AA3D-6177EA401788}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{3F2A72A7-99FA-4DDB-A5A8-C604EDF61D6B}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{4DCAFE13-E6A7-4C28-BE02-CA8C2126280D}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{59BD6DD1-5CEC-4D7E-9AD2-ECC64154418D}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{71689AC1-CC88-45D0-8A22-2943C3E7DFB3}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{FBB3477E-C9E4-4B3B-A2BA-D3F5D3CD46F9}


the first, 3rd, sixth and seventh have the sub keys

 

[jerry101010]

"Have you tried this Right click on Start and then on Properties. On the screen that comes up, click on Customize. Then scroll down near the bottom of that list to "Search othe files and libraries. Insert a radio button just on "Search with Public Folders"

yes is is already checked

 

[VistaKing]

It could be a corrupt profile . Can we try to create a new profile and see If you get the search feature working . Sorry for the late reply

 

[jerry101010]

created a non admin test account and search does work

 

[jerry101010]

late reply- no worries thanks for your help

 

[jerry101010]

do you mean this procedure?

1. Rename the users old profile located in 'C:\Users' to something like username-old
2. Open REGEDIT and delete the registry key associated with the user profile you just named. This key is located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
Highlight each key until you find the profile you are looking for.



if so - have not done it before ? risks? set restore point first?

 

[jerry101010]

hello, anybody?

 

[jerry101010]

little help....

 

[VistaKing]

Hi Jerry

Sorry for the late reply . You could recreate your profile . You would need to log in to another account that has admin rights if you don't have one you could enable the builtin administrator . The directions are posted in Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable to recreate a profile take a look at this thread here

 

[jerry101010]

TEP 3) Click on the button and click on COMPUTER on the right hand side of the Start Menu . Double-click on the Local Disk ( C: ) and open up the USERS folder inside the ( C: ) drive . Right-click on the User Account the is having an issue and choose Rename . Add either " . Old or -Old " at the end of your User Account ( ie UserName.old or UserName-old ) close the C: \Users window . Note Note IF YOU HAVE THE COMPUTER ICON ON THE DESKTOP DOUBLE-CLICK AND DOUBLE-CLICK ON LOCAL DISK ( C:\ ) -- no right click rename option; does not allow rename if you just hover , can not change in properties --other accounts have rename option with admin icon to the left of rename

 

[VistaKing]

Did you login with another name with admin rights ? If not you would want to login with the built-in Administrator account.
Open up an elevated Command Prompt . Click on rb: type CMD in Search Program and files box and right-click and choose Run as administrator. Type

net user administrator /active:yes

 

[jerry101010]

sorry had missed that line of the isntructions read the line re cmd net user administrator /active:yes when I try this step I get "system 5 error has occurred access denied" (fyi- firewall is disabled)

 

[VistaKing]

You need to open an Elevated Command Prompt. Click on rb: type CMD inside the Search box right click on the CMD underneath Programs(1) and choose Run as administrator.
Command Prompt should open to this patch C: \Windows\System32>_ type in

net user administrator /active:yes

   Note

Notice the Spaces between the words

 

[jerry101010]

ok- problems continue 1) so within the problem account- i do the elevate cmd -net user administrator /active:yes result- command completed successfully 2) still no rename option or ability to change the name though i could for the other accounts 3) logout and then login to another administrator account 4) rename option is available, able to edit name; however the change will not take as the computer says the action can not be completed because the file or folder is in use (????) - disabled anti-virus and firewall- no change