File associations can no longer find files below parent directory

Running a search, for example, hitting F3 and typing *.zip - I use the
advanced search options that mimic Win2k - the search directory will only
find items in the root. If I go to DOS and run the same search dir /s *
zip, I can find all the files. I just can't use search anymore. Anyone
have any ideas? I tried to restore to the 11th which has three restore
points - this was the day I installed the beta. On the one I created, I was
unable to restore (Windows message - unable to restore to this point, would
you like to try another).
Giac