Viewing Simplified Chinese (GB) in outlook 2007 (Eng) + Vista Business (Eng)

[KL]

Hi ,

I have install Eng outlook 2007 (eng) in Vista (Eng). When I receive HTML
email with Simplified chinese GB character, outlook automatically convert
the email into plain text format and display "strange characters". Even
though I open the email and change encoding to GB, it still have "strange
character". How can I resolve it? it make me very trouble in using outlook
2007.

PS: if the email is with Simpified Chinese and send with Unicode, it is fine

Best regards

 

[Pat Willener]

It is really the sender's responsibility to send multibyte character
messages with the correct encoding. Once multibyte characters are broken
into single garbage characters, it may not be possible to restore the
original multibyte characters.

That being said, it may help if you run Outlook in Unicode mode; see
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA101659691033.aspx for more
information on the subject.

I do not have Outlook 2007, so I don't know if there is a way to set the
preferred encoding for incoming messages. Please check your options
(International Options).

 

[KL]

Thanks for your reply!

Another computer with Eng Windows XP and Eng Outlook 2007 (upgraded from
outlook 2003) has NO PROBLEM to receive the same email but mine become
"strange character".
The computer can display correct character with HTML format but mine can
only display strange character with plain text format from same email
source. Why have such different?

regards

 

[Pat Willener]

Are you saying that "the other computer" receives the same message in
HTML format, but you receive it in Plain Text? Are you receiving *any*
messages in HTML format?

 

[KL]

For the first question, YES!

Also for my problem outlook, I can receive any English HTML email but not GB
HTML mail.
It make me crazy and lots of email I cannot read. I am very appreciate that
you give me support on this issue

Million Thanks

 

[Pat Willener]

This is bizarre! Somewhere your HTML Chinese message gets converted to
Plain Text single-byte. I have never heard such a thing before, and I
cannot imagine where or how this happens.

Let's go back to my first suggestion, running Outlook in Unicode Mode.
Is your PST file a Unicode type (2003/2007) or ASCII type (97-2002)?
Are you connected to an Exchange Server?

Please read this article to find out if you are running Unicode Mode
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA101659691033.aspx

 

[KL]

I have checked to link and my PST file is "Personal Folders File" that
support unicode. And, I am not connected to exchange server, I use POP3. Any
idea?

PS: I have tested for the Big5 HTML email and unicode html email, it is no
problem!

 

[Pat Willener]

Sorry, I don't understand your PS sentence. You have tested HTML mail
with Big5 encoding, and it did *not* get converted to single-byte plain
text?

Then what was it that *got* converted to single-byte plain text?

 

[KL]

I have tested with 3 scenarios:

(1) test with BIG5 html mail and I can received correctly (NOT get converted
to single byte)

(2) test with UNICODE html mail and I can received correctly (NOT get
converted to single byte)

(3) test with GB html mail. I received only plain text mail with "strange
character" (GET CONVERTED to single byte)

 

[Pat Willener]

Ok, it looks like we are getting closer to the source of the problem.
(Sorry that I didn't understand better before).

Which GB encoding did you use: GB2312 or GB18030 ?

 

[KL]

BOTH and also Chinese Simplified (HZ)

Ok, it looks like we are getting closer to the source of the problem.
(Sorry that I didn't understand better before).

Which GB encoding did you use: GB2312 or GB18030 ?

 

[Pat Willener]

I am mystified by this; Big5 works, Unicode works, but none of the
Simplified encoding works. One more you should try: 'GBK', but I have
little hope that this works better.

You *do* have fonts for Simplified Chinese installed?

I am running out of ideas...

 

[KL]

GBK also NOT work!

I think I have installed GB fonts. I have try to set the region settings
into China (PRC) for non-unicode display, I can read GB HTML mail. But when
I change back to China Taiwan or China Hong Kong SAR, it become strange
character again.

 

[Pat Willener]

I am nearly out of ideas. But, can you try to send me one of these test
messages (GB + HTML)? I would like to have a look at the headers. Please
compose my email address from the lines below (don't copy-and-paste).
pwillener
ï¼ 
cincom
．
com