Find in the Finder won't Find

[Bob Baron]

When I try to search for a file the File>Find and Search functions 
doesn't seem to want to do its thing. Spinning gear ad infinitum.
OSX 10.2.6 - iMac 17" flat screen
Suggestions welcome and if they work, really appreciated.
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Bob

"Ask a question and you're a fool for three minutes; do not ask a
question and you're a fool for the rest of your life." - Chinese proverb