Issue: Spotlight not finding files?
These days, the "Finder" sometimes does not live up to its namesake, with the option to "find" things being taken over by Spotlight. When spotlight doesn't work properly, the Finder turns into "Locate if you can-er" and you're left traversing directory tr
These days, the "Finder" sometimes does not live up to its namesake, with the option to "find" things being taken over by Spotlight. When spotlight doesn't work properly, the Finder turns into "Locate if you can-er" and you're left traversing directory trees trying to find lost files.
Apple discussion poster "JazzJunkie" writes:
"Using OS 10.5.6 Spotlight I often get no result--even when I use the EXACT file name I am searching for, and have spec'd the correct folder/volume. In Spotlight prefs I have set priority to: Images/Folders/Documents which should work best in my image-based workflow."
When spotlight goes out on you, there are a couple of options available:
1. Restart Spotlight
This can be done either through the system preferences or though the command line. If you choose to use System Preferences, go to the "Spotlight" preference pane and add your hard drive to the "Privacy" list. You can do this easily by dragging the drive from the Desktop or Finder toolbar to the list.
After all drives have been added to the list, restart the computer and then remove the drives from the list.
To reset spotlight via the command line, open the Terminal and type the following command, followed by a space:
Then drag the affected hard drive to the terminal window to complete the file path to that drive, and press enter. To turn spotlight back on, repeat this process, but use "on" instead of "off" in the command.
2. Use another search system
There are a variety of alternative searching routines out there, which can do as good of a job as Spotlight at locating files. Here are a few options you can try:
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