Author Topic: Searching across multiple HDs (Read 3545 times)

kbeartx · « **on:** August 13, 2008, 03:35:51 PM »

Here's the deal:

The G5 has two physical HDs [three virtual disks] and the G4 [connected via ethernet] has four physical HDs [no partitions] for a total of seven logical disks totaling 1,463 GB [~1.5 Terabyte] of storage space.

In the current incarnation of the Search dialog, I don't see how to specify that I want to search everywhere, that is, all seven disks that are locally attached, but not the entire universe [that is, the internet].

Help, trips, ticks, suggestions?

TIA, KB

RNKIII · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2008, 03:47:33 PM »

If you 'take down / disconnect' from the internet prior to doing the search.... then it can't go beyond your physical location...

Bob K. rnkiii

kbeartx · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2008, 04:18:15 PM »

Don't want to do that, and besides, Search defaults to the boot drive unless I select another HD {and I can't figure out how to select more than one at a time} .

Mayo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2008, 08:55:16 PM »

If you can't make Spotlight do what you want, perhaps HoudahSpot will do the trick. It does cost €15 after the demo period expires...

kbeartx · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2008, 11:38:02 PM »

Apparently Spotlight only searches the local machine, no joy...

Highmac · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:12:23 AM »

I can only speak for Tiger here.....

Rather than use Spotlight, put your cursor on the desktop and hit Apple-F; this will bring up "New Search" window (see below).

Go to "Others" and the dropdown window will show all active drives. You can then check which ones you want searched. When you find the item you want, highlight it and the path will be shown in the pale-blue bar at the bottom of the window. You can fine-tune your search to Kind, Date, etc using the buttons at the top. HTH

kbeartx · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2008, 02:54:49 AM »

Nope. No matter what I've tried, I can't select more than one volume at a time.

sandbox · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2008, 04:21:11 AM »

try Panther....

ClayEM · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2008, 07:27:10 AM »

QUOTE(kbeartx @ Aug 13 2008, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here's the deal:

The G5 has two physical HDs [three virtual disks] and the G4 [connected via ethernet] has four physical HDs [no partitions] for a total of seven logical disks totaling 1,463 GB [~1.5 Terabyte] of storage space.

In the current incarnation of the Search dialog, I don't see how to specify that I want to search everywhere, that is, all seven disks that are locally attached, but not the entire universe [that is, the internet].

Help, trips, ticks, suggestions?

TIA, KB

How do you have the Spotlight System Preference's Privacy set?
Spotlight (as I understand it) has to first index any volume you want included in the search routine.
Make sure any volumes to be searched are not included on the Privacy list.

Clay

Highmac · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2008, 01:17:55 PM »

All my external HDs are Firewire connected - maybe that makes a difference - but I'd be surprised if Apple dropped the Finder-search in Leopard.
Could you run through your search procedure and maybe one of us can pick up a clue? I find sometimes just detailing a problem brings a 'eureka' moment when you realise something you've been missing out (or adding in!)

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2008, 03:34:14 PM »

I've long since given up on Spotlight and even the command-f option in the Finder. They both seem crippled ways to find stuff, although Find in the Finder was not bad in Tiger. I now use <PathFinder>. It will even recognize my wife's iBook when I connect to it. Basically, anything your computer can see should also be searchable in PathFinder. Of course, it's not free but I consider it money well spent.

Nor is it as fast as Spotlight. But it also doesn't make disk-based files for displaying finds. I have it in my Startup Items list.

krissel · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2008, 02:57:45 AM »

If you do what Highmac suggests, what happens when you tick the boxes for the other drives?

kbeartx · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2008, 10:00:49 PM »

QUOTE(krissel @ Aug 16 2008, 02:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you do what Highmac suggests, what happens when you tick the boxes for the other drives?

No boxes to tick. Leopard does not offer those options.

ClayEM · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2008, 10:31:13 AM »

kbeartx,

I'll repeat my question as cited in my above post.

How do you have the Spotlight System Preference's Privacy set?

What volumes are excluded from being indexed by Spotlight?

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2008, 04:27:34 PM »

1. In "Finder->Preferences->Sidebar do you have "External Disks" checked?

And if you don't have these drives listed in Spotlight's 'do not search' preference, there is one more thing to check, assuming you haven't already mentioned above.

2. Set your Finder window view to Columns. What icons/drives/volumes appear, in the column just to the right of the sidebar, when you select your computers name in the sidebar? Apparently "GS149."

3. Do you 'see' them when you then click the "Network" icon?

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Author Topic: Searching across multiple HDs (Read 3545 times)