I can't enable search for a server

• Is your server running Windows SharePoint Services-compatible search server software, such as Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or later?  By default, Windows SharePoint Services installs the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (Windows) (WMSDE) database. However, to enable the search functionality, the server's back-end database must be running Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or another Windows SharePoint Services-compatible search server.
• Is your server part of a server farm?  If each server in the server farm is not running Windows SharePoint Services-compatible search server software, such as Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or later, the search controls may not appear. To resolve this problem, make sure all servers in the server farm are running Windows SharePoint Services-compatible search server software.

Note  To perform these steps, you must be a member of the local Administrators group on the server running Windows SharePoint Services.

I'm not finding what I'm searching for

• Are you searching for file type other than .doc, .xls, .ppt, .txt, or .htm?  By default, full-text searching does not include any file types other than .doc, .xls, .ppt, .txt, and .htm in the search results. You can install custom filters to allow you to search other file types. For more information about adding filters to SQL Server full-text searching, see the SQL Server 2000 documentation.
• Is there an asterisk in your search query? You cannot use the asterisk (*) character.
• Did you use Boolean function such as AND or OR?  The search engine does not support Boolean functions.
• Is the information you're searching for in a list attachment?  Attachments to list items do not appear in search results.
• Is the information stored in an item that is not part of the current view?  You cannot search for information in items (rows) that are not included in the current view. For example, if you search in a view that shows only items created by you, any items created by another user are not searched. However, searches include all information in the items that are not filtered, including information in columns that are hidden. Searches also include information in items that exceed the current view's item limit.
• Is there a problem with the search server?   There might be an internal error on the search server. Contact your server administrator for more information.