Japanese to English in XP?

[Guest]

I'm trying to do some work on a laptop purchased in Japan with the Japanese
version of XP, and my question is how can I "swap" or install the English
language on the laptop so that everything will appear in English? As it is
now, there is some English wording, but for the most part everything is still
in Japanese despite having the exchange student (who owns the laptop) switch
the Regional settings and such from the Control Panel. Is it necessary to
install the Multilanguage/Multilingual add-on to achieve this?

Thanks for any help....
Jeff

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows XP is written in specific language versions, therefore one
cannot change it from one language version to another. You'll need
to purchase a "Full Version" of Windows XP in the language version
you desire, reformat your drive and install it "clean".

Or if you have an available empty drive or partition, you can install
another "Full Version" of Windows XP in a different language version
and create a dual-boot configuration.

Cannot Upgrade or Install a Different Language Version of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;282089

Welcome to WorldLanguage.com!
http://www.worldlanguage.com/

A good third-party partitioning program is Partition Magic 8.
http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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:

| I'm trying to do some work on a laptop purchased in Japan with the Japanese
| version of XP, and my question is how can I "swap" or install the English
| language on the laptop so that everything will appear in English? As it is
| now, there is some English wording, but for the most part everything is still
| in Japanese despite having the exchange student (who owns the laptop) switch
| the Regional settings and such from the Control Panel. Is it necessary to
| install the Multilanguage/Multilingual add-on to achieve this?
|
| Thanks for any help....
| Jeff

 

[Guest]

So, for clarity, if I change Regional and Language Options to allow for
English (which we've done to a point) I can see English wording and type in
English, etc. However, when I go to install an English program (other than
Microsoft) I'm going to have problems because the underlying "engine" is in
Japanese? (which I've already tried) So, the only way around this is to
install the English localized version of XP?? Does the Multilingual User
Interface benefit me any in this situation, or is this just for the English
localized version?

Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

I live in Japan and use XP systems at work that have Japanese version of XP
Pro SP2. I have had no problems running English based windows software on
the computers. The install windows usually have all the English, but some
choices are in Japanese. I have also ran Japanese programs on my English XP
Pro SP2 computers with no problems either. Only thing was some of hte
install option screens were wacked out, but knowing how most default install
windows look like, Ihad no problems installing them and running them.

The computer I am typing this response on is using Japanese XP Pro SP2. I
have about 11 programs that are written for English based XP Pro running on
this computer and they all work fine. You won`t be able to get an MUI for
your computer unless you happen to have a Volume license. I have tried to
get my company to get one so I can have my main work computer installed with
English XP Pro with the MUI, but it seems to be a long process.

 

[xfile]

Hi,

If you wish to have the entire environment in English, you may have to use
English-based Windows and with language packs (for Windows or Office) if you
wish to work more closely with other localized language programs.

For example, our company has operations in the states and Asia, so all of
our computers are purchased with English-based Windows and some of them
installed with additional localized language packs.

With that, you can have the following options in Regional and Language
Options of Control Panel:

(1) Languages tag: You can choose which language (English or the installed
languages) to be used in menus and dialogs across Windows - guess this is
what you want,

You may also select Advanced tag for which language to display for
non-Unicode programs. Although this option may not require installing
additional language pack, but it will perform even better if the language
pack is installed.

You should have no problem using English programs in non-English Windows XP
as many of us doing this, but if you wish everything turn into English,
you'd need to use English Win XP or maybe English language pack (I am not
sure if there is English language pack though).

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

Its no problem for me to use the Japanese version one, just my company
doesn`t need to get another computer at the moment. When they do, I will
ask them to order it with English XP Pro SP2 and to include the MUI for it.
I usually bring in my personal Notebook that has XP Pro SP2 on it, if I need
to compare screens, especially with MS Office drop down menu items. I`m
getting better at reading Kanji and also memory is getting better to
remember all the environmental settings options for most of the XP Pro menu
context, just I don`t go through office settings enough to remember all
their options.

Jeff