By restoring the 2 sub-directories and all contents in the c\windows\srchasst
directory from a recent system backup/image the Search Assistant problem has
been resolved.

Not sure how it got corrupted in the first place/ My original suspicion was
that it was caused by changing the name of an unrecognized empty directory
(SxsCaPendDel) in c\windows --not sure that there ever was a connection
though.

I did find that the empty directory (SxsCaPendDel) appears to be left after
an incomplete MS update cleanup when SP1 for .NET Framework 3.5 was installed.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> [cf. http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=40817]
>
> bpa_retired wrote:
> > Today I tried to use the Windows 'Search' utility and encountered a
> > problem.
> >
> > Upon clicking on 'Search' (from START menu) an ERROR window was displayed
> > with the message " A file that is required to run Search Companion cannot
> > be
> > found. You may need to run setup."
> >
> > I am not sure what 'You may need to run setup' means.
> >
> > Yesterday morning the (2) May Windows Updates were installed --with no
> > noticeable after effects. Yesterday afternoon the 'Search' utility was
> > indeed used with no problems. After turning the PC on this morning the
> > utility does not work.
> >
> > OS is WinXP Pro SP3 with current updates.
> >
> > Help/suggestions would be appreciated.
>
>