Original Title: windows search service won't start.when i try to start "windows search" service i get the following error "the windows search on local computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automaticaly if they have not work to do, for example, the performance logs and alerts services" I have tried manually and nothing, can someone please help me.It is an XP machine and yes i do have windows search 4.0. I need help to get that windows search service started again.

Hi,· Did you make any software or hardware changes on your machine prior to this issue?· How long you have been facing this issue?Method 1You may run System File Checker [SFC] scan on the computer which will replace the missing or corrupt files & check if the issue persists.a. Type ‘cmd’ in Start > Run box. Right click on cmd in the Program list and then select the option Run as administrator.b. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannowFor more information refer this link.Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe)Method 2You may also grant permissions to the registry key and its subkeys located atHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\CurrentControlSet\Services\WSearch To do this, follow these steps.a. Right click on the key and select “Properties” from Context Menu.b. Click on Edit button in Properties windows Click ok to confirm UAC elevation request.c. Select user/group from permission windows or click Add to add other user or group.d. Now under Permission section check the rights which you want to grant i.e. check “Full Control” under the “Allow” column to assign full access rights control permissions to Administrators group.e. Click Ok for changes to take effect and click ok final ok to exit from Properties window.Hope the information helps. Please post back and let us know.RegardsDebleena SMicrosoft Answers Support EngineerVisit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

I tried method 2, and it didn't work, i also tried method 1 but i could not run cmd as an administrator. It says the path is invalid, I also tried going to user account and make sure i was set up as an administrator for local computer and domain, so that option is out of the way. Anything else. I really need to get windows search service running. I also tried uninstalling and and installing it and nothing. And when i open cmd without administrator rights it won't go to the C drive it will go to U drive, which is a network drive. And no, i do not want to rebuild the xp image.

I no longer need this, i simply backed up all my files and re-install windows XP.