Make XP search a specific drive

I'm running XP and I have the "search" function set to the "classic" search view. I want to search a specific drive. There is a window ("Look in:") where I can select the drive I want to search but when I click "Search Now" it searches the main drive C:

Specifically I want to search a data CD. I specify drive F:\ and put something in the "Search for Files...". Like maybe a*.txt. (Hint, I know there is a file that matches that name in a sub folder on the CD).

When I click Search, the status bar shows it is searching C:\Documents and Settings not F:\
When it finishes, it finds only the files matching a*.txt that are in c:\Documents and Settings.

I have discovered that if there is a file that matches a*.txt in the root of F: it will find that file along with a few hundred from C:. It won't find any matching files in subfolders of F:. Yes, I have checked "Search Subfolders" under search options.

Also, If I use the Browse functon under search in and point to the specific folder where I know the file exists, it still can't find it.

What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in Advance
Pete

 

In "Look in" (click arrow on right side of search window) browse and click the drive, folder, or network you want to search.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308895

Or right click "Start", click Explore, click Drive you want to find file on, right click Search - it will only look there.

If above does not work your preferences might have been changed and will need directions to reset them.

 

Actually, that is exactly what I described at the end of my post. I can actually point it to the folder where I can see the file with Explorer but Search doesn't find it. It finds files in C:\Documents and Settings but not those on the F: drive.

Also going as you said, via Explorer and right clicking Search doesn't find it either. It will find it if I point to the actual folder and can see the file in the right pane of Explorer. But, if it is in a subfolder it won't be found; even if "Search Subfolders" is checked.

 

Here is a screen capture of the Explorer window on the left and the Search results on the right. A file that satisfies the wildcard W*.gif is in the subfolder DOCS on Drive F:. Search finds only the one in C:\Documents and Settings. Search Subfolders is checked.

I'm stumped.

 

Sorry, I missed something here, if I want to find a file on a drive, I look in that drive. I don't look in subfolders unless I already am at the drive/folder and looking for the text in that folder.

Think you want to start your search in My Computer if you want to search all drives. I always know where stuff is, but looking at the structure you have to go one up to search all - it will take awhile, would narrow down the search to a time frame.
I could be wrong but try it.

 

If I know the file is on drive F: but somewhere down in a subfolder on drive F:, why would I want to search MyComputer?

 

OK, You're selecting F: in the search box but text in that box changes to C or C/F: ?

Look at this, you want to do 1st but doing 2nd Screenshot?

<a href="http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Cat_w_9_lives/?action=view&current=LocalHD.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Cat_w_9_lives/LocalHD.jpg" border="0" alt="Search"></a>

Turn off Auto Complete, use CCleaner to clean up your temp files, leave at default settings. If you don't have it, here's the link.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_No_Toolbar_d4191.html

Post a screenshot of your searchbox choices if that does not work. Have you had any other problems with your PC lately.

 

I see what you mean in your example. F: becomes (C:;F) but that doesn't happen when I do it. Note in my previous attachment it stays CD Drive (F)

{I notice that on my computer, when I click the thunbnail the resulting image in IE is quite blury. I can then right click on it and Save As. Then I can open the image in another viewer and read it a lot better.}

And, I am sure it isn't searching C: because, with over 178,000 files on C:, there has to be a lot that meet the criteria w*.gif....I just tried it, Search C: brings up 65 files like w*.gif.

So I just changed the Look in dropdown to CD Drive (F) and it still gets exactly the same result as in my attachment. It finds one file (out of 65 on C) in C:\Documents and Settings....... and not the file on F:.

And I just reporduced the same results after running CCleaner and with Auto Complete off.

My computer runs fine. I have been doing a ton of spreadsheets all day, a little programming and a small CAD drawing all with no problem.

XP is nuts.

 

Think I finally understand the problem but the solution is over my user level...did you try cleaning the registry with CCleaner?

 

I tried that and it didn't work. Same results as I described above.

Bottom line, search won't find any files that are on the CD below the root directory of the CD.

Have you tried that? I am using the WinXP SP2 CD. In the root, there are three files that satisfy W*.* and there is one in the subdirectory DOCS. With the CD in the Look In window, search finds the three in the root directory but not the one in the subdirectory. Advanced Search Subfolders is checked.

If you folks are bored with this topic and want to blow it off, that is fine with me.

Thanks
Pete

 

will try to look at again this weekend, not bored...just lack of time...I'm curious now though

 

If you have the time, please just try searching a data CD that has subdirectories. This is really getting to me. Its like the search doesn't go below the root directory and then switches to C:\Documents and Settings.

It would sure be great to know that it happens to someone else.

Thanks

Pete

 

I put in a back-up that has a ton of sub-dir and different types of files.
Right clicked D, search w**.***, found all files in all subs that met the criteria - I did not add any modifiers. Manually eyeballed CD, it found them and only looked in D: Tried a few times with different criteria, worked.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Cat_w_9_lives/SearchError.jpg

Well at least you know it should work, not sure what the problem is though...registery error. Did look at some info at MS last week re map drive and search companion...but nothing gave me a clue. Hard to figure out what to search for at MS, sure there's a solution and most likely easy but escaping us. Have you added a drive lately? Just a guess here...is there a shortcut to C: on the CD in Docs?

Maybe someone will read this thread an go AHA!

 

p.s I did also try search from "qbdata" and down the tree, same results found all files.