Windows Explorer Anomaly?

I have noticed that when I do a search from the Windows Explorer window, if the result is not what I want the opportunity is given to go "back" and try again. The problem is, the "search" button is greyed out and cannot be actuated. The only choice I have is to go out of Explorer and come back in to refine the search.

Does anyone else have this problem; or has had it and found a fix?

I'm running XP preinstalled on an HP Pavillion.

 

I get no such result, and I have the system set to Use Classic Search in Explorer.

Do you guys?

There's a New Search button, and the Search button is live after a search is completed.

I can't recall having done anything to CHOOSE classic Search other than clicking the choice in Tweak UI.

 

I'm on XP Home, too, but perhaps it's the Classic Search thing I mentioned. This shot is from an unsuccessful search. Note that both the New and the Search buttons are active.

 

Curiouser and curiouser, Alice!

I tried a search from "start" "search" and got the same thing; but here's the rub ...

If I search "Local hard drives (C:; D: )" it does what I said and the "search" button is greyed out; BUT ...

If I search "My computer" or a folder such as "My Documents", it does not do what I said. The "search" button is not greyed out and subsequent searches can be done.

 

Something like this wouldnt matter if it was Home or Pro, unless a Policy is in place.

Even then...it would apply to both.

FYI: XP Pro trashed out machine I am typing on--works fine.

 

On the search pane, click Change preference > Change files and folders search behavior > Advanced, and you'll get a much more straightforward interface, IMO. The animated search assistant was really getting on my nerves so I got rid of it as well.

Mine was never greyed out, and I didn't use TweakUI.

 

I'm on XP Home version.

I'll try the Change preference > Change files and folders search behavior > Advanced trick. Hope it works.

 

Well, CRAP!

Tried the fix and it did something interesting also. The little slider bar that indicates the program is "doing something"? It never stops. If I search in the "My Documents" folder it stops but if I search in the "Local Drives" it just keeps going. A full search only takes about five minutes and after a half hour it was still going like the http://www.smeal.psu.edu/misweb/gifs/animate/energizer_bunny.gif

Energizer Bunny courtesy of http://www.smeal.psu.edu

 

chaslang

The problem that originated this thread has always been there.

I use AdAware and Norton and both are current. Last full system scan by NAV was 2-6-04.



I think I'll put in a bug report to MicroSoft.

 

Its not a bug I am afraid, unless it can be reproduced regularly

 

Adrynalyne

It's as regular as Ex-Lax. It does it every time without exception.

This copy of XP came loaded on the HP Pavillion (Okay, you can think it, just don't say it. I got what was "available".) and this thing does not have all of the features of MS XP.

I had to call the other day to ask for support to locate the Backup feature which is, according to MS, an XP feature. The guy at HP tells me that the Backup feature is not in the HP copy of XP. Later, I noted that HP sells trheir own version of Backup. So the anomaly may be confined to the HP version of XP.

 

There is no "hp" version of XP. There is XP Home, Pro, Tablet PC Edition, and Media Center Edition. There is also 64 bit, but that is a different creature.

The last two in the list are OEM only, and are nothing more than XP Home and Pro, with extra features. OEM XP Home has the same features as retail XP Home. YOu just dont have a CD for any extra software (which isnt much).

You are getting confused.

Windows XP Home Edition has NEVER included ntbackup. Its on the CD to be installed at a later time. That doesnt make your XP any less than a retail copy. It just means you dont have the CD to install it. XP Pro, on the other hand, has it built in.

If the problem is confined to the OEM copy you recieved from HP, that doesn't make it a bug, that means they broke it. It wouldnt be the first time OEMs have screwed crap up.

When I said reproducible, I meant everyone, not just you.

 

By the way, does this problem happen in Safe Mode?

 

Adrynalyne

I don't know how to start the machine in Safe Mode. I'm smart, but not about computer operating systems. That's why I went looking for some brain power and landed here.

Are there any other HP users that can try the search and se if the anomaly is confined to HP?

 

F8 before XP loads...

 

If so, why does it work on a searched folder but not on a "local drives" search?

Besides, there are only a few options when the search finishes. The choices are:

"Did you find what you wanted?

• Yes, finished searching
• Yes, but make future searches faster

No, refine this search and ...

• Change file name or keywords
• Look in more locations
• Change whether hidden and system files are included

The only other choice is the "back" button.

Nowhere is there a place to simply put in new search info.

If I hit "Change file name or keywords" it takes me back to the original search page and the "search" button is greyed out. It is unselectable even if new search information is entered.

 

Hmmm. Mine says:

No, refine this search and ...
Change file name or keywords
Look in more locations
Start a New Search

 

yeah so does mine

 

It's a Bug!

I called HP tonight and led them through the problem and it is repeatable.

She tried it on her local computer and then went into the lab, while I waited on hold, and told me that it happened on the lab computer also.

She said that this is a new issue and will be reporting it to the software gurus.

I guess that ends this thread. Thanks for the help, Guys.

J

 

Good luck


But HP broke it, it isn't a bug