installing Windows XP on a different language

Hi,

I am currently considering either the Acer 2012 WLMI or the ASUS M6.
However, something just popped in my mind. I am Korean, and would like to use the Korean version of Windows XP, which I do have a copy of (need to check if its home or pro).

Now, when I get my laptop, whatever language and home/pro the os maybe, is it easy for me to change that to the Korean version? and how would i do so? this is necessary, as i will be typing korean but also using korean softwares.

thanks!

 

You may want to try looking at this link on how to change the language of the OS.

http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/reference/win2k/setup/default.mspx

I think once the OS is running in English (assuming you're getting a US unit) and then make all the language changes. You may need the Embedded Language Pack (MUI), the link is located below.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=f120acd9-73f2-4dbe-ba34-84d362993616&displaylang=en

This should change the XP (English) OS and allow you to have Korean menus & fonts.

I've done this at work before, but was for making a custom restore image for customers (changing from English OS to French fonts & menus).

Good Luck!

-Vb-

 

does this mean i can change just the windows itself entirely to korean??

 

I think what this does, is it adds the ability to switch all the English fonts/text & Windows (menus) to a different language. The OS will still be the English version, but giving you the option of switching when needed. If you then decide you want English only again, just change the Region area and it should go back to English fonts/text & menus.

When I was doing it at work, the OS that came with the system was English, but the customers wanted the French menus as an option. We installed the MUI and when it was done, all the menus & icon text were French.

So generally, I believe the OS core is still English, but adds the MUI pack making all the menus and any text that shows Korean or any other language you install. Make sure you read the guides in the links I provided just to be on the safe side.

-Vb-

 

ah, i see venom.

let's say i got a korean windows xp cd (which i do).

would it also work if i just re-install windows xp using this cd over my current whatever language xp?

 

to Venom and Phase 11

While there are the method of MUI/IME package installation, I also know that different countries do have releases of total different language OS. China even has a popular hacked WINXP total-simplified chinese version...

so before you install anything phase, you better double check if the installation says this is just a simple MUI installation.

if it's just a simple MUI, then you can't reinstall XP from that CD, since the language pack CDS are not XP installation CDs.

I got a life, but it's currently up for auction.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by phase11

 

"all the text onscreen " meaning everything i see, such as menus, those texts on properties, etc, etc?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by phase11

 

If you buy it in Korea, I think you should get an option before installing any XP version that gives you either the English or the Korean one to choose frok. It appears on the screen as you start the laptop for the first time. So I guess you could install the Korean version dircetly without having to reinstall it after the English version.
As in my case, I bought it in a Russian spoken country and I could choose between English and Russian before installing windows.

HP Compaq nx7010, 512 RAM, PM 1.5 Ghz, 64 MB ATI 9200, 40 GB 4200 rpm, WSXGA (1680x1050)

 

i would just like to say that in the end i bought an acer aspire 2012 wlmi. i am quite satisfied with the purchase so far.

here is the thing. it came with a multilingual windows xp home edition, allowing me to choose either english, french or dutch. i chose english, and just realized that the korean windows xp cd that i have is the professional edition. i tried just installing it over the current windows by autoplaying it and choosing install, but it didn't work, saying something that it is not compatible because of the language or something like that. asked someone else, and the reply i got was that i needed to wipe out the current windows i have and then install the korean one. is this true? and if so how do i go about doing so?

 

Phase11,

Before going and wiping the system and re-installing again, you may want to try the MUI first. If you screw anything up, you were gonna reload the OS anyways, so nothing lost. If the limitation of the upgrade is because of the language, then a full re-install will be needed.

If this is a full copy of XP Pro (Korean) and is bootable, all you have to do is put the CD in the drive and reboot from CD. Just follow the instructions and it should install the OS. I'd have the system format the HDD in the process so you don't have any incompatible files in the system.

Just to let you know, all the Acer software will be gone and unless Acer includes all these apps on a seperate CD, you will not be able to get them back (without restoring the original XP Home). Also, make sure you download all the required drivers for your notebook and burn onto a CD or copy onto a USB pen drive. You will not be able to connect to the web until the network drivers are installed.

So, I'd first recommend installing the MUI, if that doesn't work, download all the drivers and burn on CD and then reload OS from scratch.

Good Luck!

-Vb-

 

hey venom,

thanks, maybe i should try the MUI.

however i went to your links and am a bit confused as to what/where i should download.

i want the option to change everything i see to korean/ plus be able to type korean.

 

wait i got it. i got the file and unzipped it but...

1)Download LANGxxx.EXE
2)Extract the .exe and save to a location on your local machine.
3)Open Component Database Manager. You will find the icon for Component Database Manager on your Start menu under Microsoft Windows Embedded Studio.
4)On the Database tab, choose Import.
5)In the SLD box, type the path to the .sld file you would like to import. To browse for the file, choose the button to the right of the box.

i am at 3. where is the component database manager?????? i don't have something called Embedded studio anywhere!

 

Damn! Looks like I messed up, I should have looked closer. This is for Windows XP Embedded verion, not standard XP. I'm looking for the MUI for regular XP & not embedded.

Edit: It turns out that the MUI is not available for regular Windows XP, it can only be obtained through Volume Licensing programs, usually with manufacturers (OEMs). Since I had easy access to them when changing the loads for customers, I thought it was readily available online.

So, I guess your only option then, is to re-install the OS from scratch using the Korean XP Pro CD you have. Just boot off the CD and the install process will start from there.

Sorry for getting your hopes up, thought I could get your system up and running without having to blowing away your whole system and startiing from scratch.

To reload the OS from scratch:
1. Download all the drivers for the notebook first and burn onto CD
2. Put your Korean XP CD into drive and boot
3. It should ask you to hit any key to boot into cd, hit enter
4. Follow instructions for the install
5. It will ask if you want to format the HDD, I'd say yes, this way, you don't have any incompatible files on the drive.

-Vb-

 

thanks, thought something was wrong there too.

by "download all drivers", what does this include?

does it include EVERYTHINg, like video, sd card reader, synaptics touchpad, screen, audio, etc etc..?

because that is a lot. i guess im just confused how my notebook would work if i do wipe out and reinstall the korean windows xp. for example, the function keys. do i need to set those up again or are they integrated functions? something like that you know.

just confused here.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by phase11

 

Hi!

I live here in Belgium and I just received my laptop back after having Warranty of my Hard disk. And found that they have installed Dutch Windows XP Home Edition on it. As I want to install it in English, so I even have partitioned and formatted my hard disk but still it isn’t installing English version and always starts installation in Dutch. As I translated its first display screen, it is saying something like that You can’t change the language anymore due to EULA End user license agreement.

So please let me know how I can solve this problem. I am afraid to send my laptop back again for the duration of one month of warranty.

Thanking you in anticipation!