The Windows Live search integration is really crap in Server ’03. To default back to the traditional search functionality I found this guide here
http://www.johnsadventures.com/archives/2006/11/how_to_default_to_search_companion_with_windows_de/
But in short Regedit -> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Desktop Search\DS ->
set ShowStartSearchBand to 0.
