Windows 7 not searching right anymore

While troubleshooting another issue, someone asked me to uninstall Windows Search (which I did)
that didn't fix the problem, so I reinstalled Windows Search... now it doesn't seem to find things at ALL anymore.
If I try to search the start bar for 'word' it shows me these blank icons that say 'programs' 'control panel' 'music' 'files'
If I click on that blank icon it gives me a yellow screen that says:
These files can't be opened
Your Internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened

with the amount of programs I have, searching the start bar was a great tool for me...
How do I get it to work right again?
BaupostJRAsked:
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
I tried to do the search troubleshooting and when I launch it it says
An Error occurred while troubleshooting:
A problem is preventing the troubleshooter from starting.
Package ID: SearchDiagnostics
Path: C:\windows\diagnostics\system\search
Error Code: 0x800b010e
Source: Engine
User: (myself)
Context: elevated
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centervCommented:
Try booting with the win7 dvd and let it repair it.
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
if I've got Win7 Ultimate, can I repair with a Win7 Enterprise disk? I don't have my Ultimate 64 disk here only Ultimate 32 :(
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centervCommented:
You should be able. If any problem you can make the disc with windows.
search for repair disc and it should come up for you.
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
Do you know where the 'repair disc' is?
I can't search... ;)
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
nevermind, I found recdisc.exe
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centervCommented:
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
what feature should I be running?
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centervCommented:
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
hotfix didnt work. (however that describes my problem to a Tee)
no reg entry either.
I don't have a system restore point I can go back to
Startup repair doesn't seem to be the right option
I don't have an image

haven't tried FixWin yet
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
also, startup repair doesnt even detect a problem
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
I tried uninstalling and reinstalling Search again, still not working.
I found that key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
FixWin Search Repair didn't fix it
removing those keys from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE didn't fix it either.
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centervCommented:
Seems as we may be into a repair install.
Will send links a bit later.
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
thanks. I already backed up my hard drive to an external one... just in case I need a rebuild.

Does Windows 7 have that 'repair' feature that XP did where it wipes all the system files and reinstalls it all?
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centervCommented:
Ok. You'll need the install dvd for your system.
This isn't quite like xp and not an MS built in item so don't just jump in.
It's actually a better option than xp I think just not as built in.
Read and understand the link so that you know and follow the process.
 Make the necessary adjustments at the end.
Good luck

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html 
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
working it now.
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centervCommented:
Great. Follow the tut and you should be fine.
I would wait for the cleanup part to get rid of the windows.old folder till you know for sure that all your files are recovered.
I'll be away from my desk for a good part of the day so may not get back to you for a while.
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
looks like that worked. I need to reinstall my Virtual PC though.
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centervCommented:
That's great. Didn't know about VPC. If you have a backup up of that you may be able to copy that back in
or look in the windows.old folder if it's there. Let me know.
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
it didn't have much in it... just Office 2003 for backward testing
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centervCommented:
Ok. Good luck. Pleasure working with you.
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BaupostJRAuthor Commented:
got it all back together.
Thanks for the help
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