Searching for files containing "@require" - compaint about a "Indexing service query" not being active.

Hello all,

I've just tried to use the standard folder - rightclick - search...
putting "@require" in the "Containing text:" box. For some reason it
doesn't really tell me it complains about "The Indexing Service Query cannot
be completed", and than fails to find the search string (its in multiple
files).

I take it the "@" at the start of my search string means something special,
but I have no idea what or how to tell the OS /not/ to try to regard that
"@" (and others?) as such (I've disabled the "Indexing Service" - why is it
trying to invoke it anyway ?). Some ritual chanting perhaps ? Some
secret registry setting ? Maybe a non-mentioned escape character ?

I might be a bit sarcastic in the naming of possible solutions, but
boy-oh-boy, how I hate brain-dead programs ...

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

"R.Wieser" wrote:

I've just tried to use the standard folder - rightclick - search...
putting "@require" in the "Containing text:" box. For some reason it
doesn't really tell me it complains about "The Indexing Service Query cannot
be completed", and than fails to find the search string (its in multiple
files).

I take it the "@" at the start of my search string means something special,
but I have no idea what or how to tell the OS /not/ to try to regard that
"@" (and others?) as such (I've disabled the "Indexing Service" - why is it
trying to invoke it anyway ?). Some ritual chanting perhaps ? Some
secret registry setting ? Maybe a non-mentioned escape character ?

How very strange - it also happens on Win2k. If you precede it by a
backslash ("\" is often used as an escape char) it works and does not
complain. I also have indexing disabled.

Apd,

If you precede it by a backslash ("\" is often used as an escape char)
it works

Bummer, it doesn't on XP(sp3). :-\

By the way, it throws the same complaint when using "!" or "#" as the first
char ...

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

"R.Wieser" wrote:
Apd,
If you precede it by a backslash ("\" is often used as an escape char)
it works

Bummer, it doesn't on XP(sp3). :-\

Indeed, I've just tried it.

By the way, it throws the same complaint when using "!" or "#" as the first
char ...

It's as if it detects an advanced query syntax and tries to hand it
to the indexing service. However, while "@" and "#" are mentioned as
special chars in the service, so are some others and they work fine in
a normal search. Perhaps it's a bug.

Apd,

It's as if it detects an advanced query syntax and tries to
hand it to the indexing service.

Thats my guess to. Even though that service has been disabled (which
should not be /that/ hard to check).

However, while "@" and "#" are mentioned as special
chars in the service,

Documentation which is, afaics, not referred to by the search dialog or its
error messages.

so are some others and they work
fine in a normal search. Perhaps it's a bug.

Perhaps. But all we have is some "Hey, thats wierd ..." observations to go
on in this regard.

Thanks for the response.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

In message , Apd writes:
"R.Wieser" wrote:
Apd,
If you precede it by a backslash ("\" is often used as an escape char)
it works

Bummer, it doesn't on XP(sp3). :-\

Indeed, I've just tried it.

By the way, it throws the same complaint when using "!" or "#" as the first
char ...

It's as if it detects an advanced query syntax and tries to hand it
to the indexing service. However, while "@" and "#" are mentioned as
special chars in the service, so are some others and they work fine in
a normal search. Perhaps it's a bug.


I know you like to use OS-included facilities, but I have just tried in
"Everything" typing an @, and it's happy with it (told me I have 1,618
objects with an @ in their name). 473 with #. Oddly, ! _does_ seem to
mean something unexpected.

I think versions of Everything that work under XP are still available -
and I think there is a portable version, if you want to use it on
customers' machines.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets
you. - Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear

John,

I know you like to use OS-included facilities

Its more that I'm not really in to throwing all kinds of programs at my
puter, and than get stuck with all kinds of crap when I don't like (or
really need) it and uninstall it (stability of the OS comes to mind).

but I have just tried in "Everything" typing an @, and it's happy with it

I've just did a google for it, and it looks like it only works on filesnames
(not contents) ?

Windows search also works fine when I look for filenames. The problem
occurred when I tried so search for text inside (html) files.

I think versions of Everything that work under XP are still available -
and I think there is a portable version

I /do/ like portable versions, if only because they (hopefully) do not leave
all kinds of stuff behind (in system folders and /or registry). :-)

Regards,
Rudy Wieser