Change Japanese OS to English OS?

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a Dell XPS m1710. I'm currently living in Japan so it would be much much cheaper to order from Dell Japan, as opposed to getting it from Dell Canada and having it shipped (even before factoring in shipping, an identical model and configuration is a few hundred dollars more expensive at Dell Canada).

Anyways, I'd like to know if anyone here has successfully changed a preinstalled Japanese XP to an English XP. Is it possible?

I really see no reason why it wouldn't be possible however I haven't been able to find any verification for this. And actually, when I searched around for it I found a couple posts on various forums saying that it might not be possible.

Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks.

(BTW, sorry if this is in the wrong section! First post...)

 

umm, i think you can download a language pack, and i think there is an option when you FIRST turn your computer on.

 

You can install English OS without any problems (I've done it). But it is not a simple matter of using a language pack (at least not with XP/ only Vista ultimate supports that). You have to do a clean installation from an English OS disk. All the drivers can be downloaded from support.dell.com or you can use the driver disk shipped with the notebook.

 

I'm in the same boat here,, living in Japan wanting to buy a dell but only Japanese Vista. Phoenix are you saying if I purchase a dell with Japanese Windows Vista ultimate I can change it to an English OS?

I mean like, menu's and the whole shibang all in english?

 

yes, everything, even the help center, except maybe the "Your computer is shutting down" message when you shut down.

 

AFAIK, the Windows license shipped with DELL notebooks is language independent (i dont know about other countries or languages, but at least in Japan it is). If you find the proper English edition installation disk (preferably a DELL OEM disk), you can install and activate the OS without any trouble(I have done this numerous times with both XP and Vista).

However, with Vista ultimate you can supposedly change the display language even without reinstalling (hopefully without requiring an English installation disk), but I don't know to which extent it changes.

EDIT : More info

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Phoenix, I do have a copy of XP pro, though it isn't OEM. Have you ever run into problems trying to change the OS with a non OEM XP? I thought that if I just downloaded all the m1710 device drivers from the Dell site and saved them to my external HD before clean installing XP I wouldn't have any problems, OEM or not.

In any case, does changing from Japanese to English OS void the warranty? If thats the case, would it NOT void the warranty if I partition the drive and make a dual boot system without wiping the original OS?

Oh and as for using Vista... some of the software I need to use for school is not yet supported by Vista so I can't use it.

Anyways, thanks again. You guys are really helpful... and fast! This will be my first notebook computer so I'm trying to be careful about it...

 

Installing the English edition or installing a completely different OS (like Linux) for that matter, will not void any hardware warranties. But they will not give you technical support for software related issues for other OSs.

I have installed XP Home edition using a retail disk + the key given with the notebook, therefore even XP Pro might work. But with Vista, you will have to call Microsoft to activate the OS if you use a non OEM disk (however, the serial number shipped with the notebook still works).

 

Phoenix, Based on your input, I am planning to install DELL OEM version English Windows vista home premium OS into my new DELL XPS 1330 (Presently with Windows vista home premium Japanese OS) with the KEY provided on the Notebook.

I hope the warranty wont void with such approach.
Could you please confirm my understandings are correct, as I am a newbie.

 

You don't need to install new OS. Try Vistalizator - this tool allows you to change display language in Vista editions other than (officially supported) Ultimate:
Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium and Business.
http://froggie.sk/
I did it for English and Portuguese (Brazil) - works 100%.

 

Hi all together,

I am a swiss guy making business with a japanese company. We work in feet analysis. Now our software does only run on english windows xp. The japanese people only have vista and japanese windows xp. But our software doesn't run on them. I wanted to ask you guys where my japanese friends can buy a pc with english windows xp very quickly in Japan? or do you have an other idea? They live in Hiroshima.

I am very thankful if you can give me a quick help

 

Hi all together,

I am a swiss guy making business with a japanese company. We work in feet analysis. Now our software does only run on english windows xp. The japanese people only have vista and japanese windows xp. But our software doesn't run on them. I wanted to ask you guys where my japanese friends can buy a pc with english windows xp very quickly in Japan? or do you have an other idea? They live in Hiroshima.

I am very thankful if you can give me a quick help

 

If you have Vista Ultimate, you don't need to reinstall the entire OS, just install the English MUI, which is free, and you're good to go. Unlike XP, the MUI architecture separates the language resources for the user interface from the binary code of the operating system. If you have other versions of Vista, there are still ways to install the MUI, but it's against the EULA.

 

Thank you for your good reply. I am going to talk with the IT. Do you know Averatec 7100 Series AV7115-EH1R. My japanese friends have found this laptop in a store but I don't know this product. I am not sure if the english windows xp is running and our software as well because I don't know the hardware. Probably you can help me? I am very thankful

 

If your company's software definitely requires XP, another option you can think about is, run Vista as your main OS, then use MS Virtual PC 2007 and install XP to run those software that support only XP. MS Virtual PC 2007 is free.

EDIT: I don't have any experience with Averatec AV7115-EH1R. I checked the spec, it's not very powerful.

 

dear Stewie,

how are you? That's me again. The swiss with the business in japan.
What do you think about my idea below:

-. Japanese user buy a dell with multilingual xp and keyboard
-. our software is running on multilingual and is written in english
-. we are translating it to japanese until summer
-. we want to switch the english one to the japanese one in summer

What do you thin about that?

With my best regards

Chris

 

Hi Chris,

I think your idea should work, get a Dell with English XP Professional and install the Japanese MUI pack. This way your software can run on it while the user can still have a Japanese interface for Windows. The XP MUI pack may not be 100% perfect, but it should be able to show over 95% of the Japanese characters correctly, and most of time the user won't even notice it.

 

You think that we can firstable run the english software version and when we have finished the translation into japanese switch? That would be great if it is working

 

Sure. It's very rare for English XP to not be able to run a software of another language, especially if your software was originally written in English.

 

Thank you very much for your help. Looking forward hoping it is going to work Our japanese users absolute want a japanese version. Do you have experience and is it normal that they don't want and can not use an english xp or an english software?

 

If I am the customer. My questions to you:

. So you expect me to buy an EN XP Licence with MUI?

. Is your app using Windows system menu, dialog, prompt etc .. to take advantage of this MUI pack?

. If not, then what is the advantage for me to get this EN+MUI machine?

. ....

cheers ...

 

Our software is working on english xp. But our japanese customers don't want or prefer to use a japanese language version. The translation needs time but in spite we want to sell the english one until we have finished translation.
The main problem is that the japanese are using no western hardware and our software is just running on english xp at the moment. Now the software is running on the mui as well. We thought to install our software on mui and to make them a suggestion of dell hardware to switch it if it is translated. What do you think about that?

 

You are saying that the japanese customer does NOT want a JP OS? Interesting.

Is your software working on a DELL at the moment? The one that you are about to suggest? What about getting a hand on an Averatec and show the software on that?

You can equate an Averatec to a Medion or a MSI machine

cheers ...

 

sorry the japanese want a JP OS. They want to use the system in their language. But we have to make a hardware suggestion because otherwise we will have problems because our software is not running on eastern hardware I think. Our software is running on english xp on different hardware at the moment, yes. what do you mean with:

You can equate an Averatec to a Medion or a MSI machine

 

Other than the keyboard, I do not see any differences between pc/laptop hardware

You mentioned in above post what is an Averatec. The brand is very much like a Medion or a MSI machine. So I would recommend you get a hand on the model that the customer wants, and install your software on it

cheers ...

 

Here's a link for the Averatec specs:

http://tekgems.com/Products/et-26530-nbb-av7115eh1-r.htm

cheers ...

 

In case the link goes "bankrupt"

Features/Specifications:

* Averatec Sempron 3000+ AV7115-EH1R Notebook

* General Features:
* Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition pre-installed w/COA
* AMD Sempron 3000+ (1.8 GHz) processor
* 512 MB DDR RAM
* 80 GB hard drive
* DVDRW drive
* No floppy drive
* Integrated video
* Integrated audio
* Integrated Ethernet
* Integrated modem
* 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
* 17-inch widescreen WXGA TFT LCD
* 5-in-1 Media Card Reader

* Expansion Slots:
* One (1) Type II PC Card slot
* I/O Ports:
* Three (3) USB ports
* One (1) IEEE 1394 FireWire port
* Microphone and Headphone in jacks
* RJ-45 Ethernet jack
* RJ-11 modem jack

* Dimensions:
* 15.5 x 10.9 x 1 ~ 1.37-inch (W x D x H)
* Weight: 7.2-pounds

* Regulatory Approvals:
* FCC
* CE
* cULus
* TUV

Package Includes:

* Averatec Sempron 3000+ AV7115-EH1R Notebook
* Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition pre-installed
* Quick Start Guide
* Lithium-ion battery
* AC Adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz)
* Phone cord
* Power cord

Additional Information:

* Notes:
* P/N: AV7115-EH1R
* Model: 7100U Series Refurb
* UPC: 7 64296 20234 9

* Requirements:
* Available Power Outlet

cheers ...

 

Thank you very much.
What do you think about my idea below:

-. Japanese user buy a dell with multilingual xp and keyboard
-. our software is running on multilingual and is written in english
-. we are translating it to japanese until summer
-. we want to switch the english one to the japanese one in summer

What do you think about that? Does it work?

 

The idea is feasible, but what about the customer might end up with procuring 2 licence fees?

An EN XP with MUI pack licence does not translate to a JP XP licence at the end.

cheers ...

 

You mentioned that the customer is interested in the Averatec. Trying to get the IT personel to change a preferred hardware can sometimes be a hard sell, as if you are putting more requirements to their side.

cheers ...

 

do you know why japanese people can not use an english xp or an english software? Why do they want to have the software in japanese for sure? They told me that the software is going to be sold much easier if it is translated to japanese.

 

It is just like asking the French to use any bunisess softwares in any languages other than theirs.

There is also a certain law and regulations that requires the product to be used local to be in local language/dialect. Take the example of the Spanish and Barcelona (Catalan).

The locals use the software for their own community, employess and customers. And for after-implementation support purposes, using languages other than one's own is hard-work with un-justifying costs. Unless you are the 2nd level support to 1st level support that speaks fluently English.

cheers ...

 

You are Swiss, tell me that you can use ONE common language in all Switzerland for business. I think not, many regions would prefer either French, Italian, or German.

cheers ...

 

Yes, I have experience with this, I've set up many machines with English XP and Asian MUI packs before. To the end users, it doesn't make any difference to them, especially when you apply the language to default user profile as well, which is purely optional. For language such as Japanese, the result will be better if you apply the language to the default profile. When I say result, what I meant was like 95% vs. 97% for example.

The customer may not get any advantages, but he or she won't really have disadvantages, except the price of the MUI pack, which isn't expensive. The other possible disadvantage is unable to install a few software that are restricted to Japanese OS only. I've seen this before, and so far Japan is the only place I've seen where software makers apply this type of restriction.

 

yes you are right what do you think about the solution with EN XP MUI?

 

Exactly, as I saw it in France and in Hong Kong! This needs to be flagged and be affront within a business plan. This 3-5% - using your 95-97% - could kill a project!

cheers ...

 

If it is acceptable to the Operation side of the business, you are safe.

You need to sell this to the IT/Finance and get their help to sell it further to the Operation peoples.

cheers ...

 

Dear Stewie

what do you think is based on your experiences the easiest way to proceed?
Do we have to suggest them a western hardware like DELL or can they also use a japanese product. do they need the EN XP MUI. Is it also running on a japanese hardware? and can we translate the software that they can change in the summer easily? What do you think is the easiest way? I am very thankful for your suggestion.

 

chrigi78, perhaps the reason why your customer insisted to use a Japanese OS (not English + Japanese MUI) is that they use other software that are restricted to Japanese OS only? This is very possible in Japan. One of my friends from Canada, he lives in Japan now, and he couldn't install the special PPPOE software from his ISP because it's restricted to Japanese Windows.

 

what do you think... is it difficult to change the software that it is running as well on Japanese OS?

 

. your app works with the JP MUI

. so why not get a JP XP DELL system, apply the EN MUI and install the app? should work, correct?

. easy sell: the customer sees that it works, the only open issue is the translation, that they sure can wait.

Good luck!

cheers ...

 

Interesting, it's rare for Chinese software to have such a restriction, especially when HK is bilingual of Chinese and English, but I guess anything is possible.

Sorry Chris, what do you mean by "change the software"?

 

does it take much time to make a software which is just running on english OS running on japanese OS?

 

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question since I'm not a software developer.

I'm thinking, there must be a few English system core files that your software needs, what if you copy those necessary files into a Japanese XP? Then your software should be able to install on a Japanese XP, right?

I think you guys should test it with a Japanese XP in the lab. If this works, then it would be the best solution for everyone.

 

as in post #41

cheers ...

 

Thank you very much for the interesting answers and information. Thank you stewie and qhn! Bye bye...

 

Sorry, missed your post.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

Nah, it would make no difference.

My personal take was that Chris was trying to get inputs that would support his sale proposals, and not to get inputs that would change them.

It has been a very interesting thread, outside the normal humdrum of the section.

Have a good one!

cheers ...