For whatever the reason, in my Windows2000 installation the "Search" tool does not work at all. If I try starting it, nothing happens, no animated hour-glass, no error messages, NADA, zip, nothing.
It does not start no matter from where I try (My computer, Start- menu etc).


Me so and full of :-?Need...more...info...gasp  

Operating system / antivirus & antispyware protection / SERVICE packs installed / when did it start happening / did it ever work right / installed any new software?

Alan <>< :-)OS: win2000 (it says so in the subject)
Antivirus: avast!
Service pack: SP4
Don't know when it started and yes it did work just fine for years (this machine has been in use since 2000, with the same OS).
Yes, I install new software and quite frequently also remove them. But any of them should have no effect whatsoever over this, since those are just accessories, mostly something to with web site development etc.
I don't LIKE the homemade tune ups people do to the their (like, hey if you stab your registry here and here, your machine will run 0,0001% faster) machines, only thing I have done, is to manipulate the "start" button with a program called Resource Hacker. It changed the text on the button and nothing else.

Also, let it be noted that I am no way a novice with computers, I have worked in tech support and used to deal with situations like this myself, but this one I just can't understand and as I'm not able to find any advice with e.g Google.

[edit]Forgot to say that I can not find anything related to this in my eventviewer's system logs.[/edit]

[edit]And before anyone asks, it's namely the "search for files or folders" which is not responding.[/edit]Have you tried system file checker ? ?
Start/Run SFC /scannow and hit Enter.
If that produces no joy Travel Here for instructions on a non-destructive repair install...The system file check didn't occur to me, good point.

Looks like I have to dig up the installation CD to complete it properly. Uh...

If the sfc does not work, I guess I will live without the search GUI and continue using command line tools... The repair install i suggested will retain all your data and installed programs...

Good Luck.Yep, I'm aware of that, but as the search seems to be the only thing gone borken, I don't know if I really WANT to go through the trouble.

But we'll see what happens with the sfc when I discover the Win2k CD, if I ever do. Don't think I have used it in 5 or 6 years...

Thanks for the advice anyhoos.