Try System File Checker which should find the missing file.You'll need
to reinstall all the updates.
Follow these steps for using sfc with the scannow option to repair
important Windows files:

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Using sfc /scannow to repair important Windows files
usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Here's How:
Open Command Prompt.

Important: You must run Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows
7 and Windows Vista to use System File Checker.

Once Command Prompt is open, type the following command and then press Enter.

sfc /scannow
Note: There's a space between sfc and /scannow.

System File Checker will now verify the integrity of every protected
operating system file on your computer.

Note: In some situations, especially in Windows XP and Windows 2000,
you may also need access to your original Windows installation CD or
DVD.

Restart your computer if sfc /scannow did actually repair any files.

Note: System File Checker may or may not prompt you to restart but
even if it doesn't, you should restart anyway.

Repeat whatever process caused your original problem to see if sfc
/scannow corrected the issue.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/sfc-scannow.htm

On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 12:28 PM, Bruce Lund <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> eMachines D2880 running Windows XP home. Intel Motherboard had been replaced with HP 090 CL about a year ago which caused numerous problems that might have culminated in the crash that precipitated the current issue.
>
> Computer would not boot and said I had to do a repair from restore disk. Ended up doing a non destructive reinstall of windows and need to search for some files. When I did Start/Search/For Files or Folders I get:
>
> ERROR
> A file that is required to run search companion cannot be found. You may need to run setup.
>
> Within the search window, all I get is the f******* dog, but no place to type in the search term, the file locations or anything else.
>
> I have the restore disk, but have no clue what to do with it. Do I have to reinstall all over again? The search was running fine before the reinstall.
>
> I also don't have internet access yet so I hope any help is something I can do without going on line.
>
> Any assistance in figuring out how to get my search back would be appreciated.
>
> Bruce

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