Search engine problems

Morning.
Using XP Home, SP-2, When I go to Start>Search>Files & Folders, then enter my search criteria, about 70% of the time it locks up my machine about 1/2 way through the search. If it does complete the search, it doesn’t find the file I’m looking for. E.G.: I have at least 5 files with the word RESUME in the file name. I enter “*.resume” and click on search, it comes up negative.
What’s the fix? or work-around?
Thanx