HELP! Search Companion crippled in WinXP Home!
Paul Bennett
I'm at my wit's end. I can't search for ANYTHING on my computer!!
Typically, I look for something within a drive, folder, etc. by
right-clicking the folder and then choosing Search... (i.e. the Search
Companion). When I do this, I get the following error message:
"A file that is required to run Search Companion cannot be found. You may
need to run Setup."
After clicking OK, then the "Search Results" windows pops up... but only
partially (i.e. the left and right panes are blank, but the little doggie is
there in the bottom left hand corner...)
So much for Search Companion!
Well, I first went to www.microsoft.com and searched for any information on
this problem. I was directed to the "fix" Q319949.
Fix Attempt Number 1:
Microsoft recommended a software patch fix. I downloaded this fix and
applied it (first I had to uninstall my Service Pack 1 and go back to my
previous build of Windows (Build 2600))... and the problem is STILL THERE!
Fix Attempt Number 2:
So, reading further in the description for Q319949, I tried the second
solution that they suggested, as per the following steps (and I quote):
To resolve this problem without obtaining the hotfix, follow these steps:
1.. Log on to the computer by using an account with administrator
permissions.
2.. Click Start, click Run, type %systemroot%\inf, and then click OK.
3.. Locate the Srchasst.inf file.
4.. Right-click the Srchasst.inf file, and then click Install. This
reinstalls the files that Search Companion uses.
So I did this, and... Search Assistant is STILL crippled!!!
To say I'm distraught, well, would be an understatement indeed.
I wonder if many others out there have encountered this problem?
If you are a tech wizard and can help me at all, I (and probably many, many
others) would be GRATEFUL!!
Please help, if you can. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day :o)
...Paul Bennett, suffering from self-induced allopecia
Michael S.
MS is aware of this, and thanks to the contributions of users like you, are
working on a fix.
Error: "A file that is required to run Search Companion cannot be found. You
may need to run setup".
The file that is missing, or corrupt, is one of two. BAR.XSL or BALLOON.XSL
(and/or other files in the same folder), depending on your search
preferences. These files are both normally located in the
Windows\srchasst\mui\0409 folder on your hard drive. These files may be
locally cached in the Temporary Internet Files, so this may explain why some
users have this problem "intermittently".
This issue is caused by proxy servers, firewalls and some "ad blocking"
software that prevents Search Assistant from reaching http://sa.windows.com
where it looks to see if there are any updated files which may add or
improve the features available.
Fix: Open Explorer and go to the Windows\Inf folder. Locate the srchasst.inf
file. Right click it and select Install. You'll ned your XP CD or the files
from the I386 folder. (This fix will require you to have your Win XP CD).
Again, the Windows\Inf folder is a hidden folder. You may need to adjust
your Windows Explorer options to show hidden files and folders. You can
also click Start, Run and enter %SystemRoot%\Inf to open directly to the Inf
folder.
Error Message: "A File That Is Required to Run Search Companion Cannot Be
Found" (Q315330)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q315330
The above KB article states to mark 3 files as "read-only". You may find it
necessary to mark additional files as "read-only" if the problem persists.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Microsoft MVP Program:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;mvpawardintro
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"Paul Bennett" <pau...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:VpFn9.484780$f05.21...@news1.calgary.shaw.ca...