I have been doing some research on how i could get Search Server Express 2008
and WSS v3 up and running as i needed the cross site search feature Search Server Express provides.
Installing it wasn't really an issue and its it went ok apart from some issues i had when trying to extract the files and when i ran the SearchExpress.exe i kept getting "Installation Package Failed etc " .error
But i would leave that for another time on how i fixed it.
But after installing Search Express and creating a search center and activating all those nice and good webparts on any site collections you want. I came across some issues when trying to set up SEARCH SCOPES(GLOBAL I RECKON) as i couldn't find any link to take me to a site to create.You will need to create a SCOPE if you want it to appear in the search scope near to the Search Box webpart.
Solution:
Well i finally came across the link which is :
http://YourSharepointSite/ssp/admin/_layouts/viewscopes.aspx?mode=ssp
OK all good i created the scope added Rules and all fine. Then i went to my search center site > Edited the search box webpart and selected Show Scopes Dropdown under Scopes Dropdown but i couldn't see the scopes i created.
After looking at the Layout folder 12 hive i found another viewscopes.aspx page and normally this link should be under site actions > site settings of your Search Center site collection but it wasn't there.
Any way this link below would take you to the right place
http://YourSharepointSite/_layouts/viewscopes.aspx?mode=site
Which you can now see the Dsiplay Group:Serach Dropdown just click on the Search DropDown and select the Scopes plus set your default scope.
Hope that helps and sure will save some precious time
