How do you search for files ?

**birkopf** · July 2nd, 2011

Just a quick question. I usually search for files by build in Search function or Midnight Commander. Currently I have a problem. Looks like that:

I want to find all files with extension .cmc

One file is on my desktop and it's called File.cmc

I search in whole File System with option *.cmc

Nothing is being found

What could be causing it ?

**TeoBigusGeekus** · July 2nd, 2011

Code:

find / -iname "*.cmc" 2>/dev/null

Code:

man find

for more info

**jim_deadlock** · July 2nd, 2011

Code:

sudo updatedb
sudo locate .cmc

updatedb makes a list of all the files in your entire filesystem, it takes a couple of minutes, then locate searches that list, it's very quick and very thorough and will find any part of the file's path.

**birkopf** · July 2nd, 2011

Originally Posted by jim_deadlock

Code:

sudo updatedb
sudo locate .cmc

updatedb makes a list of all the files in your entire filesystem, it takes a couple of minutes, then locate searches that list, it's very quick and very thorough and will find any part of the file's path.

Thanks. That worked

- But how to explain that normal system search is not finding a file which is on my Desktop as well as Midnight Commander which never failed me before... ?

In fact I had this problem on one Maverick... After install it works like a charm and after time it stops.

**WorMzy** · July 2nd, 2011

btw, you don't need to use sudo with locate, just updatedb.

Can't explain your problem with MC, I don't use it.

**beew** · July 2nd, 2011

Originally Posted by birkopf

Thanks. That worked

- But how to explain that normal system search is not finding a file which is on my Desktop as well as Midnight Commander which never failed me before... ?

In fact I had this problem on one Maverick... After install it works like a charm and after time it stops.

This is crazy but to use "search for files" you need to go to gconf-editor, open apps > gnome-search-tool and disable (uncheck) quick search.

Don't ask me why. I have been doing this since 10.04 and once "quick search" is disable it can find anything.

**birkopf** · July 4th, 2011

Originally Posted by beew

This is crazy but to use "search for files" you need to go to gconf-editor, open apps > gnome-search-tool and disable (uncheck) quick search.

Don't ask me why. I have been doing this since 10.04 and once "quick search" is disable it can find anything.

It is exactly what I was thinking about! Just was too strange to name it and you did it. Great!

I couldn't believe when I saw my config there! Path to look for was pointing wrong, a lot of folders excluded by default, and other issues.

Just want to mention before closing the topic that in my case its
disable_quick_search that needs to checked (ticked)