English Windows XP on Japanese Laptop

I live and study in Japan. I want to buy a laptop, here in Japan, onto which I can install the english version of Windows XP.

I bought a Japanese laptop before, a Vaio PCG 6H2N. I had to realize that it is not possible to install the English version of Win XP onto this laptop w/o problems. The reason is, some parts of the hardware have only drivers in Japanese which can not be installed if the english version of Win XP is running. Also, there have been problems with the S1 and S2 keys and the entire keyboard, especially the keys required for input of Japanese characters. I found a long thread on this forum about installing the english version of Win XP on this particular laptop and it is complicated and not possible w/o problems and non-functioning keys.

Basically I want to say that contrary to popular belief it is not possible to "just install" the english version of Win XP on any Japanese laptop.

Now I am looking for a laptop which I can buy in Tokyo onto which I can install an english Win XP and everything will work.

Does anyone here have experiences with this problem? What about the Lenovo 3000 V200 N Series? Does anyone know if I can install Win XP EN on this one? link here: http://www-06.ibm.com/jp/pc/notebooks/3000/

Would appreciate your thoughts & experiences about installing Win XP EN on Japanese laptops!

 

As long as there is a corresponding international (US/UK) model you are fine. Since Lenovo 3000 N200 is sold outside Japan with the exact same model number, you shouldn’t have any trouble. I also live in Japan and so-far I have installed English XP in over a dozen notebooks (DELL, HP, IBM), but only had trouble with an old (Pentium 3) Sony Vaio and a Fujitsu.

Japnese driver download page for 3000 N200
English driver download page for 3000 N200

 

Hi PhoenixFx, thank you very much for your answer, great to find someone with experience with Japanese computing here at notebookreview.com.

When you installed Win XP EN on those laptops, did you even get the four special keys for Japanese input to work? Do I need to select some special keyboard driver?

As I wrote, I had bad experiences with my Vaio and Win XP EN, but I think I will buy my second Japanese laptop soon (not Vaio this time) and give installing english Win XP another shot.

What do you think about buying overseas models in Japan? I just learned that Bic Camera, Yodobashi etc sometimes offer a few selected overseas models with english Win XP. Is this much more expensive? I wonder what's better: buying an overseas model or buying a japanese model and then installing Win XP myself?!

 

After installing the OS, change the keyboard driver to Japanese 106/109 keyboard (device manager > keyboards) and the keyboard layout to Japanese(Control panel > regional settings).

Yes, some electronic shops (especially in Tokyo/ akihabara) have few overseas models, but AFAIK they are way too expensive. If you are afraid of running in to driver issues (IMO which is very rare with new notebooks) you are safe with non Japanese brands like Lenovo, DELL or HP.

Or if you are not afraid to buy OEM/ODM notebooks, then you can get one from a company like Dos-para (Also sold as Prime PC with English OS/keyboard), Mouse computers or PC-koubou. All three are very reputed notebook resellers who sell ODM notebooks manufactured by companies like Asus, Compal and Clevo.

 

Hi PhoenixFx,

I currently live in Japan. I'm planning to buy the new Sony Vaio TZ, and wanted to install a fresh copy of Vista Business (English Version). Can you explain to me step by step on how to proceed with the installation? What problems will I encounter when I install the English OS. If I download the drivers from sony japan will there be compatibility issues with the English OS.

Thanks in Advance for you help.

 

I haven’t seen the TZ model sold anywhere else but in Japan. Therefore you may not be able to find English derivers just yet. However there is a good possibility that Japanese drivers will work flawlessly. You may not be able to use any special Vaio system or utility applications. But hopefully you’ll be able to get all the devices working.

Here is a step-by-step guide to install Vista business (with screenshots)

 

will installing windows multilingual user interface (MUI for windows XP Pro) help compatibility issues?