Searching

I can't open the search page from the start menu of xp - (sp2) - I continually get an error telling me that search assistant may not be installed properly. I have office xp which does have search assistant, but that program won't even be open when trying to search the computer for a file. I have tried using the search option within ie and get the same error. Does this sound familiar to anyone? and what can be done to fix it?

I have run every imaginable spyware/adware/virus program and it still occurs!!

Thanks

Kim Babson