Windows XP Search Function Stopped Working

[John Bull]

I use Windows XP Search Function : START>SEARCH very often.

Just tried to use it yet again and it is not working - click - nothing happens.

I have done absolutely nothing, so please somebody :- why should this function suddenly stop working and how can I get it to work again ?

My operating package is in my signature.

Many thanks
John

PS - my experience of these sudden events is that they are due to something simple, but I am floored on this one.

[Cudni]

Did you restart the comp? It might help especially if you used the comp for some length of time

[Raza0007]

First of all are you running the default winxp search or do you have the indexing enabled as well.

If you have the indexing enabled then you might have turned off the indexing service accidentally.

You can also download and install windows search for XP (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=55C18CB3-C916-4298-ABA3-5B98904F7CDA&displaylang=en) and see if it corrects your problem.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "First of all are you running the default winxp search or do you have the indexing enabled as well.

If you have the indexing enabled then you might have turned off the indexing service accidentally.

You can also download and install windows search for XP (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=55C18CB3-C916-4298-ABA3-5B98904F7CDA&displaylang=en) and see if it corrects your problem." }-

Your suggestion lit my candle. I downloaded it, run it and after a promising start by the wizard, it said "This program cannot be installed on this computer". Have`nt a clue why, I just had to crash it. Back to square one.

Can you see anything on my OA Keylogger blockages that may have caused trouble :-
223142

[Raza0007]

-{ Quote: "Your suggestion lit my candle. I downloaded it, run it and after a promising start by the wizard, it said "This program cannot be installed on this computer". Have`nt a clue why, I just had to crash it. Back to square one." }-
"Program can not be installed on this computer"???

It appears something major has occurred on your system. Why not try using this function "sfc /scannow" and see if it corrects your problem. You may need winxp installation disk. Read about it here (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/system_file_checker.mspx?mfr=true) and here(relevant to you). (http://www.infopackets.com/news/software/windows_tips/2004/20040810_windows_xp_search_function_missing.htm)

[Raza0007]

Sorry, I did not see your online armor attachment before posting. It will be difficult to tell from this attachment why the search function is disabled. In any case online armor should not block a key windows function. I did notice however that a program cleaner validator.exe --> updater.exe keeps trying to run on your system. Are you sure you are not infected with a virus? If you are infected that might explain why windows functions are not working or you are unable to install software on your system.

EDIT: It appears online armor has at least blocked the installation of windows search 4. I believe the wdssetup.exe blocked in the attachment is the installation program for windows search 4.

[John Bull]

This may help.

Panel 1 shows the panel that comes up when left clicking START. The Search function highlighted is the one I have used forever with just a click. It has suddenly stopped working.
Panel 1
223173
Panel 2 comes up when right clicking START>Open. It is a panel I never use and the Search is shown in the Toolbar. I don`t know if it has always been there, but I want it back working on Panel 1. No excuse for going AWOL.
Panel 2
223175

Sorry about the 3rd image, it crept in uninvited, just ignore it. The two with the red splodges on are all I intended.

[GlobalForce]

Miekiemoes, GeeksToGo (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/199344-my-windows-search-is-broken-resolved/page__p__1246623#entry1246623)!

[Raza0007]

John,

If the previous linked articles and solutions did not solve your problem then you can re-download Windows Search 4 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=55C18CB3-C916-4298-ABA3-5B98904F7CDA&displaylang=en), before installing temporary disable "Online Armor" as the exe is from microsoft and is trustworthy. After installation is complete you can re-enable Online Armor. This should solve your problem.

If even this does not, then I believe the last resort is to repair windows by re-installing winxp. You will not lose any data, just the OS files will be overwritten.

[GlobalForce]

"If the previous linked articles and solutions did not solve your problem ..." then I've got ;) one more in the pipe.

[CloneRanger]

@ John Bull

Noticed this in one of your screenies

223183

I know several people who had their comps screwed up with that & had to reinstall :o

Not saying it's definately anything to do with that, just a heads up ;)

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Miekiemoes, GeeksToGo (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/199344-my-windows-search-is-broken-resolved/page__p__1246623#entry1246623)!" }-

Thanks Steve, I will put a clean diaper on and try that fix, it looks like it cured this same problem in your link. Will let you know and again thank you for your input.

Just one point, the fix is :-
=====
Do the following..
Go to start > run and copy and paste the following commands one by one in the field:

regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 wshom.ocx

hit enter after each command
======
It worked OK for that guy on Geeks-to-Go, but if I put in this Gobble-de-Gook and it does not work, what will Granny Windows think ? Once the fix goes in, how to I get it out again if it all goes PLONK ?

John

[GlobalForce]

Takes a few seconds .. we there yet? Don't know if it'll need a reboot. Say uh .. yer not using that CC for downstairs are ya?

[GlobalForce]

Those cmds won't cause any more than a "file not found" error - no biggie. Now c'mon, pull the trigger already!

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Those cmds won't cause any more than a "file not found" error - no biggie. Now c'mon, pull the trigger already!" }-

No CC Steve,

Have my finger on the trigger, but it`s a bit gloomy out there and the guy stumbling towards me looks a bit like my Platoon Sarge.

I have uninstalled that Comodo cleaner with all it`s bits and pieces.

John

PS - I want everybody to be kind to JB just for ONE day, it`s his Birthday on Saturday 6th November.

223186

[GlobalForce]

Yes, we'll be nice. Now does search work or not?
223187

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Yes, we'll be nice. Now does search work or not?
223187" }-

No luck Steve. I did exactly what was said, hit OK (not ENTER) after each one, each time a panel said it was successful, I rebooted and tried Search (Panel 1 in my post). Nothing happened. The Search in Panel 2 (my post) works fine.

dammit Steve, I`ve gone and shot my poor old Sarge for nothing.

John

[GlobalForce]

Then, my final (and no you won't screw anything up) offer .. John Bukowski, via Ramesh - PCBanter (http://www.pcbanter.net/showpost.php?p=2226486&postcount=2). In addition, Happy Birthday Terry!

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Then, my final (and no you won't screw anything up) offer .. John Bukowski, via Ramesh - PCBanter (http://www.pcbanter.net/showpost.php?p=2226486&postcount=2). In addition, Happy Birthday Terry (http://www.cookingforengineers.com/)!" }-

Looks a bit more involved, I`ll study it and have a go.

PSSST - I`ll be as balmy as a cricket tomorrow with Brandy and strong lager. The dog will be coughing and spluttering with cigar smoke and I`ll be admiring that new streamlined drag reducing walking frame the wife has bought me. Got wheels on so I can get up some speed going downhill and disc brakes for safety.

If the Mods see this note, I`ll be slammed for being "Off Topic".

John

[GlobalForce]

Sounds OK (and quite :D funny) ta'me. That lager better be sumpthin good (http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/en/page/tripel.aspx)!

[stapp]

Right-click the start button and choose properties, then click on the 'customise' button opposite where it says start menu. (I am assuming that you are not using the classic start menu choice there)

Select the advanced tab at the top and look down the list to make sure that the 'search' box is ticked.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Right-click the start button and choose properties, then click on the 'customise' button opposite where it says start menu. (I am assuming that you are not using the classic start menu choice there)

Select the advanced tab at the top and look down the list to make sure that the 'search' box is ticked." }-

Dear Stapp - thank you for posting.

I have checked this option and all is OK, the Search box is checked.

Can I just bounce one on you, this seems crucial and I do not understand it at all.
1. The SEARCH shown on the Start panel 1 in my post is NOT working. Absolutely nothing.
2. The SEARCH shown on my panel 2 IS working perfect.

IF the SEARCH function is at fault in any way, then nothing would work.
I have checked all kinds of suggestions including REGEDIT proposals made on the net, but can find nothing wrong.

I will try GF`s suggestion in his last post, but I cannot help thinking that there is nothing wrong with the Windows SEARCH function. What is wrong is that somehow the function listed on the Start menu (panel 1) has lost it`s active connection. I have`nt a clue how or what to do about it.

It is this factor that prevents me from tampering too much with the actual SEARCH function, going on the fact that if ONE works, the OTHER should.

At the moment, my only hope is Wilders, there are so many geeks and experts on this Forum that I am very optimistic somebody will crack it for me.

John
I hope that users reading this thread with Windows XP Home and SP3 have checked that with their panels 1 and 2 shown in my post, BOTH Search icons work OK. I would hate it all to be a Windows update matter.

[GlobalForce]

What have we got here Terry, what do YOURS say? Second's the COM security launch tab.

223188 223189


And furthermore, you will let us know of any COM+ errors in your event logs.

[crofttk]

-{ Quote: "Sounds OK (and quite :D funny) ta'me. That lager better be sumpthin good (http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/en/page/tripel.aspx)!" }-Hehe, definitely good, but definitely NOT a lager.

Back on topic: Both working fine with all most recent Win Updates on XP SP3 for me, JB.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Hehe, definitely good, but definitely NOT a lager.

Back on topic: Both working fine with all most recent Win Updates on XP SP3 for me, JB." }-

Thank you croftie for checking that, it only needs one to do it. So it cannot be Windows updates.

John

GF`s hooch looks terrific, I`d love a few tomorrow. My lager is 9.0 % abv - 500 ml tin, a UK Scottish brew named Tennent`s. A few of those plus Brandy`s and I don`t reckon I`ll give a toot about my Windows Search problem for a while.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "What have we got here Terry, what do YOURS say? Second's the COM security launch tab.

223188 223189

And furthermore, you will let us know of any COM+ errors in your event logs." }-

Steve, I have looked everywhere but cannot find a panel like your screenshots.
I even tried to find it if it is hidden by many net suggestions, but no luck.
John

[crofttk]

-{ Quote: "Thank you croftie for checking that, it only needs one to do it. So it cannot be Windows updates.

John

GF`s hooch looks terrific, I`d love a few tomorrow. My lager is 9.0 % abv - 500 ml tin, a UK Scottish brew named Tennent`s. A few of those plus Brandy`s and I don`t reckon I`ll give a toot about my Windows Search problem for a while." }-
No problem!

P.S. I've got 6 empty Westmalle goblets sitting in my hutch. So, if you get any, send me a couple of (full) bottles and I'll send you a couple of (empty but carefully packed) goblets!:lurking:

[crofttk]

-{ Quote: "Steve, I have looked everywhere but cannot find a panel like your screenshots.
I even tried to find it if it is hidden by many net suggestions, but no luck.
John" }-Trickytricky on that screen of GF's - you can access through Start/Run/"dcomcnfg", left click the "+" at Component Services, left click the "+" at Computers, then right click on My Computer for Properties.

[GlobalForce]

Trickytricky's right Crofty. Our birthday boy :D must've started early to have missed my cue ....

[stapp]

Does pressing the Windows key (the one with the flag on it) plus the F key bring up Search for you?

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Does pressing the Windows key (the one with the flag on it) plus the F key bring up Search for you?" }-

What "F" key ? There are lots of them - F1 to F12. The Windows key + Letter F does nothing.

Stapp my dear and lovely friend. This problem is like any program that works perfectly, but has two icons. One icon works, the other does not. So, the Search is working but the icon on the Start menu is not.

I still say that if my Administrator rights were in doubt, nothing would work, so I cannot really accept a lot of hanky-panky which could well screw it all up, when in fact the Search IS working but not by clicking the icon on the Start menu.

John

[GlobalForce]

Hey Birthday boy, you have a look @ the dcomcnfg page yet? How about that registry location - the value there to remove?

[stackz]

I'm able to reproduce the exact behavior you describe (xp sp3) by tampering with the reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}.

Navigate to that key, export it and compare it to:
-{ Quote: "
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@="Search"
"LocalizedString"="@explorer.exe,-7020"
"InfoTip"="@explorer.exe,-7000"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,\
65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,32,00,33,\
00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\InProcServer32]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,\
64,00,6f,00,63,00,76,00,77,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,00,00
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance]
"CLSID"="{3f454f0e-42ae-4d7c-8ea3-328250d6e272}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\Instance\InitPropertyBag]
"CLSID"="{13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}"
"command"="@shell32.dll,-12708"
"method"="FindFiles"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\shellex\MayChangeDefaultMenu]
@=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:00000000
" }-
If it's not the same, then just save the above as fix.reg, merge it with the registry and reboot.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "I'm able to reproduce the exact behavior you describe (xp sp3) by tampering with the reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}.

Navigate to that key, export it and compare it to:

If it's not the same, then just save the above as fix.reg, merge it with the registry and reboot." }-

Holy Moses Stack,

I am not at all competent enough to follow the path you so kindly set out.

It looks so attractive and logical but far beyond my aptitude. I really am grateful for this information, but just do not understand how to implement it.

It does look very good and logical and I really appreciate your efforts to solve my silly little problem.

One thing I will not do is insert the Windows CD disc and mess around trying to re-install the Search function. Rather leave it like it is.
John

[GlobalForce]

So we can check for ya, paste this in your runbox:

regedit /e c:\search_function.reg "hkey_local_machine\software\classes\clsid\{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}"

It'll export the key in question and leave search_function.reg on your root drive = c:\

Copy and paste it's contents like in the post by Stackz or change the extension to .txt and upload as an attachment.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Does pressing the Windows key (the one with the flag on it) plus the F key bring up Search for you?" }-

It brings up my panel 1, but again the Search icon does not work.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "What have we got here Terry, what do YOURS say? Second's the COM security launch tab.

223188 223189

And furthermore, you will let us know of any COM+ errors in your event logs." }-

Best I can do is :-
223222
223223
223224

[GlobalForce]

Go with post twenty-five Terry, then a lone *back \ slash* in run to find it.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Go with post twenty-five Terry, then a lone *back \ slash* in run to find it." }-
Steve, post 25 is my own - it is just a chat post.

[GlobalForce]

She's a match. Rt-clk, save as 223236 to your dsktp, then rename it fix.reg. Dbl-clk, OK the merge. If not immediate, reboot.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "She's a match. Rt-clk, save as 223236 to your dsktp, then rename it fix.reg. Dbl-clk, OK the merge. If not immediate, reboot." }-

I don`t know what the hell is going on Steve, but my posts have not been printed. Here we go again.

The output from your post 35 which entered a search item in the Registry programs is :-
223247

If this is OK, it asks whether to ADD or MERGE. I have done nothing yet pending your reaction.

There are many SEARCH functions - this thread is only concerned with the START SEARCH which is the "Little dog" screen that suddenly stopped working. See :-
Start panel : the damned system will not let me upload this panel again and has gobbled it up somewhere, so refer to my post 7.

The SEARCH I want restored is :-
223248

I think two of my reply posts are missing. This matter is complicated enough for me without having to cope with Forum system problems and missing posts.
It completely wrecks continuity.
Many thanks
Terry

If it looks OK, do I ADD or MERGE, reboot or what ?

[GlobalForce]

Files are identical - do nothing. Start search - I know. Online Armor - something you can disable <no internet> for a boot?

I'm guessing she'll work in safe mode. Care to confirm? If not OA I'm leaning towards corruption - COM+ corruption.

[thanatos_theos]

@John Bull
CloneRanger maybe right on his assumption that the Comodo cleaner cleaned much more that it needs to. Did you clean the registry or anything with it recently without reviewing the list? Before uninstalling it you should have first restored whatever it deleted prior to having your problem.

Did you restart after following the instructions (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1779234&postcount=8) in the link provided by GlobalForce?

Let's try this:

Go to Start Menu > Run > type cmd > press enter
Type regsvr32 /i C:\Windows\Srchasst\srchui.dll, press enter
Type regsvr32 /i urlmon, press enter
Exit cmd, restart your computer

If it doesn't fix your problem, you may need to reinstall Search. You need your XP CD for that.

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "@John Bull
CloneRanger maybe right on his assumption that the Comodo cleaner cleaned much more that it needs to. Did you clean the registry or anything with it recently without reviewing the list? Before uninstalling it you should have first restored whatever it deleted prior to having your problem.

Did you restart after following the instructions (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1779234&postcount=8) in the link provided by GlobalForce?

Let's try this:

Go to Start Menu > Run > type cmd > press enter
Type regsvr32 /i C:\Windows\Srchasst\srchui.dll, press enter
Type regsvr32 /i urlmon, press enter
Exit cmd, restart your computer

If it doesn't fix your problem, you may need to reinstall Search. You need your XP CD for that." }-
I am getting so much help on this and thank you.
Did what you said and still nothing on the Start list Search icon - my panel 1 post 7.

This Search does work when I open the Start and panel 2 comes up.
So it may be that if after all this help the Start Search icon is still dead, I will just use the screen that does work instead of doing any CD insert.

I never actually used the Comodo cleaner except for just analyzing, but it did seem to do some automatic operation, which I stopped as soon as I saw it. Even so, it has always simply listed items and required a manual GO before it cleans anything, following the safe practice of all cleaners. None of them just clean files out without user approval. That would be dangerous.

I am really puzzled why this Little Dog Search is not working on the Start listing, but works OK on the opened Start screen.

It does really look as if some connecting program or file has been deleted.

Thanks again
John

[thanatos_theos]

@John Bull
I have some questions:
-Using another account, does the Search work?
-In Classic Start menu, the Search works?
-Is Search checked when you navigate to Right-click Start button > Properties > Start menu tab > Start menu customize > Advanced tab > Start menu items?
-Try using Internet Explorer to surf. Are you having problems opening tabs or windows? Is it giving any errors?

Try the ff:

Go to Start Menu > Run, type cmd, press enter
Type regsvr32 /i vbscript.dll, press enter
Type regsvr32 /i browseui.dll, press enter
Type regsvr32 /i shell32.dll, press enter
Exit cmd, restart your computer, open Search

Open Run, type regedit, press enter
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Look for NoFind at right column. Right-click it, modify, set value data=0, click Ok.
If NoFind is not present. Right-click blank area in right column, New, Dword value. Name it NoFind. Set its value data=0.
Close regedit, restart, open Search

When doing fixes disable OA HIPS and AVG IDS.

[John Bull]

@thanatos_theos

I am so grateful to you for still trying.
Will explore your suggestions and come back later.
John

[John Bull]

I have to say how absolutely impressed I am with the astounding generosity and highly technical response given to this thread. Heaven, it is an insignificant and relatively unimportant matter really, but it has received the attention and dedication of a major issue. In all the threads I have read on Forum`s, I have rarely seen such a complex and enthusiastic response given to a subject.

We must not forget Wilders, who provide such a unique and excellent platform for discussion and our being fortunate in having such a large membership of very knowledgeable people eager to help users in trouble.

For this remarkable show of willingness to help, I can only offer my sincere gratitude to you all.
Without taking any credit from any single respondent, distinctions must inevitably go to that genius of all knowledge GlobalForce who has shown the tenacity of an Alligator in a death roll, Stackz for that wonderful input, Crofttk - as always a pearl of wisdom and Thanatos Theos for a very good response.

The problem of a little lost search dog is not confined to me, the net is full of users airing the same dilemma. Many of the solutions are the same as in this thread and some have cured the problem, but not in all cases. The rather extreme remedy if all else fails is to use the Windows CD disc and either repair or re-install the search function. It is not clear whether these other users have lost the entire search facility or just the left click start dog.

I have tried almost every suggestion made in this thread with no success. All the scripts went in OK, no disasters, but still no dog on the left click start. The icon is dead. What caused this little dog to run off, I just do not know and presumably never will. A case of never knowing if the Butler did it.

As I still have this search facility with a right click start, it is no inconvenience at all, it is not a function that is used often. OK the other dog has gone AWOL, but with a right click his twin brother comes back to Master and the search is all there. It is a path of diminishing returns in employing so much effort for so little gain.
Obviously, if the whole search facility had gone, then that would be much more serious and I would really be in trouble.

But I still have it on a right click and do not wish to start WW3 just because Fido has gone missing on a left click.
I cannot risk losing this search completely by trying any radical witchcraft.

So, I have decided that after such an immense effort to restore this fault has not been sucessful, I will use the right click start search and relegate the left click job down to a lost unknown cause. There is no way I intend to play games with a CD just to get Fido on the left click search list. I will delete the search icon from the left click start list. The aircraft will have to stay grounded.
It will also allow our enthusiastic and valuable members to concentrate on other problems.

Although my problem has not been solved, it is certainly not for the lack of highly intelligent and remarkable input given and again for all this I thank every one of you.

A very humble and thankful JB

PS - IF in the unlikely event any of you genius`s DO find out why Fido has scampered away from my left click start list, please let me know, engineers do not indulge in being beaten. But no teasing - I have a headache.

** As a loose end I will explore the moves suggested by Thanatos Theos in post 45 and see what comes of it.

[Tarnak]

I found a couple of links to try ...or not.;)

"Where Did My Little Search Dog Go?" http://thedailyreviewer.com/windowsxp/view/where-did-my-little-search-dog-go-103264125#104155420

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm

[John Bull]

Well my team mates, ya not gonna believe this, but it is TRUE.

I found that my IE was not loading and the Windows update was not working.

OK, no sweat. I downloaded a complete IE8 package from the Microsoft website and RUN it. No uninstall, no nothing, just hit the button and ran the download.

It uninstalled my existing IE8 and installed the new version complete with updates after a reboot.

IE now loads OK and guess what !! My little dog has returned to the START left click list and works fine.

So, all it needed was a new install of IE8. Something had crapped up the system, no idea what, but it is now working just fine and Fido is back in his Start kennel and itching to go get `em.

I hope this news helps others to recover Fido to the Start list without engaging in a mammoth exercise of Gobble-de-Gook unnecessary insertions and risk of internal programming Armageddon.

JB

[thanatos_theos]

Good to know. Were there errors when you did a regsvr32 of the dlls mentioned in this thread? That should have alerted you that something is wrong with IE. A scripting component related to IE responsible for shortcut creation might have gone amiss. Reinstalling IE did the trick. Now we know why IE is deeply embedded in and needed by the OS. :D

You can also invoke Search by pressing F3 or Windows key+F. Much easier? :-\

[John Bull]

-{ Quote: "Good to know. Were there errors when you did a regsvr32 of the dlls mentioned in this thread? That should have alerted you that something is wrong with IE. A scripting component related to IE responsible for shortcut creation might have gone amiss. Reinstalling IE did the trick. Now we know why IE is deeply embedded in and needed by the OS. :D

You can also invoke Search by pressing F3 or Windows key+F. Much easier? :-\" }-

My dear Thanatos,

I thank you so much for your interest and dedication to solving my problem.

This thread on the "missing start dog" is the most elaborate one I have seen on any Forum (and this problem is VERY common on the net) and should be extremely useful to other users who have their Puppies gallop off into the sunset, providing they log on to Wilders.

I don`t know what happened in my case, but something did relating to IE and obviously IE is very connected to doggies going AWOL.

Anyway, all I did was RUN a new download of IE8 and it did the rest - no uninstalls or anything. Now IE is working, Windows update is working and that damned Puppy is back in it`s Start kennel waiting for me to throw it a bone.

Thank you Thanatos and thank you everybody.
But if anybody finds that Fido has run off into the far blue yonder - just download and run a new IE package - it`ll bring him back and it is no trouble at all.
John 223310

[GlobalForce]

Good to hear Terry. Now about the <probable> fix:

Troubleshooting and Reinstalling Internet Explorer in Windows XP - http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/43875.aspx

I'll include this D.Turner pointer below:

Repair Windows Script Host in XP SP3 - http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/thread/eca2f65e-fc00-47da-a5b2-d2f0a3a57cd6