Cannot search files in Windows Explorer

When I enter the first character of my search term in the little quick-search window, the little magnifying glass icon changes to an "x", and I'm unable to search for whatever I type in. If I click the "x", my search term is deleted and the magnifying glass re-appears.

If I use the advanced search from the file menu, I can enter search terms with no apparent problem, but nothing happens when I click "search". I've done some research on this forum and others, and the recommendations are always "index this" or "un-index that".

I've tried a few of those, but my problem is not that Windows can't FIND files reliably, it's that it won't even search.

Thanks,
Dan
Vista x64
Version 6.0 (SP2)

Did you notice any other unusual behaviors on the machine?

run a malware bytes scan first.. if nothing found.. then run a chkdsk /r..

cheers

Thanks, but no other odd behaviors, malware or viruses.

I have never been able to use this feature since installing Vista (I believe)... a nuisance before but now I need to use the feature to do some housekeeping.