J O/S to E O/S. Can it be done?

[Anonymous]

My wife and I bought a new Fujitsu FMV with the Japanese edition, windows XP operating system installed. It's good for my wife because she is Japanese but, I can't use it much. So, what I want to do is to change the O/S to the English edition XP. I have been to a lot of stores and I have had many different answers to wether it can be done or not. Some people say that it can be done with an upgrade edition however, I will not be able to use a lot of my hardware. Some say it can't be done at all. I have called Microsoft and they weren't much help so I was wondering if there is anyone out there that knows (preferably from experience) if it can be done, and if so, will there be any problems in doing so?

If for some reason it can't be done and the best way would be to buy a new computer, I would like to make my own. So does anyone know if you can make your own computer from hardware here in Japan and install all the English software on it? WILL IT WORK?

Thankyou...............

[trip_hop]

You will have problems as you have a Japanese keyboard. An option is to use Partition Magic and have two partitions one E, one J, and you select which at the start, but that works best for E machines. Pity you did not get a Mac with OS X - they have about 17 language OS built in and selectable on the fly.

If you do not need to go into the operating system much, your FMV will handle popular English software, so you could load MS-Office-E, Photoshop-E etc, but when you access help you will see hybrid E and J characters. Good way to learn Japanese though.

Make you own PC - can be done - popular model is called Pandora (after Pandora's box) Mini-desktop - full spec P4 1MHz 256RAM 40G HD will be around 65,000. Check back streets of Akihabara. Or talk to Mercantile or Shecom, they supply E machines and maybe convert. Address in Japan Times.

[Anonymous]

How about a software called Partition Magic. It allows you to partition your hard disk and run multiple systems on it. It is all point and click, so you could probably stick it on the japanese windows and then choose how you want to carve up your hard disk. and install the english system in one of the partitions.

. It is really pretty easy. At boot up a list of the systems on your hardisk comes up and you just click on the one you want. I did this sucessfully a couople of years ago with win 98. There might be a problem with the printer cos if your using a japanese printer the drivers may cause a problem in loading in the english system and if they do they might have all gobbledygook characters on the buttons. Another problem might be the internet set up.




Maybe an English based desktop and a japanese based lap top will solve the problem easier.
good luck.
Bill

[Anonymous]

As a Mac User I can't give you sound advice but I think when they talked about an upgrade they meant switching from the home version of XP to the professional version. Then (like Windows 2000) you can get a 'Multilingual User Interface Pack' (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...n/features.asp)

[Glenski]

Question for Trip Hop and bill about Partition Magic. Doesn't it effectively cut in half the amount of memory you can use in either language?

[trip_hop]

No, it's the operating systems that are on separate partitions, which show up as different drives. Both drives are accessible.

[Anonymous]

Well, here is my basic advice

Point 1. You can install the English version of WindowsXP on a Japanese PC running an Intel chipset. Simply purchase the FULL version of WindowsXP English and follow the instructions for a first time install (not upgrade).However you MAY run into the following problem:
A. You will lose the use of most of the software that may have come bundled with your PC. Obviously a Japanese PC comes with a lot of add on software that is in Japanese. While English XP has the ability to input and display Japanese text, it does not offer native support for Japanese applications. The software may run, but you can end up with garbled windows, menu items, etc.
B. If any hardware you are using (including video cards, cd-rom drives, etc.) do not offer drivers and native support in an English environment you could end up with hardware conflicts.
C. The aforementioned keyboard problem. Easily solved by importing an English keyboard. Last I checked there are a few places in Akihabara that sell them as well.

Point 2. Partitioning is great, BUT when you do have a problem with it, the results can be catastrophic. While I am sure the 3rd party software has gotten better, I still think it is more the realm of a semi-tech savy individual.

Point 3. US PC:s are cheap. Instead of messing up a nice new Japanese PC, why not just buy a US system and import it. Base costs are lower and you can get a Dell or an HP and ship it here for about the same price of the Japanese equivalent. My suggestion is a Laptop, or a desktop w/o monitor.

Well, hope some of this helps.

-K

[Anonymous]

To Kakyou

Thanks for your help. I like the idea of importing a computer from the US. Do you know of any companies that do this? Phone numbers would be great if you know.

Thanks again.

[trip_hop]

Agree with Kakyou - technical savvy needed. Import from US - many manufacturers do not allow this, as they want their Japanese affiliates to sell. This goes for hardware and software. Those US distributors are not allowed to export.

Better to order a model (English spec) and have it shipped to your home. Then get it repacked to look like it is not straight from the maker, and have it shipped here.

For reference - Mercantile in Osaka - 06-6261-3003 have English Toshibas and Sony models, but are \200,000+ each.

TH

[Anonymous]

Sorry my post above was incomplete. With the interface pack on XP pro (which really isn't an upgrade but an advanced version of what is found in most software bundles that comes with PC's for home use) you can actually have a different language assigned to each user. So for example you create different log-ins for both you and your wife, and depending on who logs in, the OS will appear in diiferent language. I can't be sure but I think it allows the operation language for MS applications like office switch as well

[Anonymous]

Here is the number for CDW. I used them often in the States. Thier webpage says they do international orders on anything not banned (so you might have dificulty with high speed processors or wireless technology). If they won't export what you are specifically looking for, you can always have it shipped to a US address, repacked and shipped to you as mentioned above. As it then becomes simple transportation of personal effects as opposed to importing products you can dodge those restrictions.

1-847-465-6000

-K

[Anonymous]

Was going to put the webpage in too. Silly me :P

www.cdw.com

[Anonymous]

importing a PC from the states?
like taking coals to Newcastle!

[Anonymous]

"While English XP has the ability to input and display Japanese text, it does not offer native support for Japanese applications. The software may run, but you can end up with garbled windows, menu items, etc."

-- Kakyou.

Technically, wrong.

Windows XP can display Japanese and English applications and it will run both, if you change the codepage to support it. Try UTF8. I've seen it done.

Here's a radical suggestion. What applications do you need? Is there any special reason why you absolutely need Windows? If you're going to start partitioning your drives, you migth as well install a half decent OS like Redhat Linux. It's a little more technical but theres loads more information available about on the Internet.

Language support is exceptionally easy too, as multilingual support is built in. I regularly flip between Japanese and English in Redhat.

[Gerry]

Just as I was pondering over whether to throw my new pc out the window,I found this helpful forum.I also had a J Windows XP system preinstalled with my new computer.I have boldly upgraded this to Win XP Proffessional English.I selected the new installation option and rightly or wrongly selected the option to install on the same hard drive ,thus erasing the original J O/S.This was successful EXCEPT!!!!!,the sound device has not been installed.Many attempts to find this using the Hard ware Wizard to search the files of the the computers installation cd (Japanese) were not successful. Also do not try to reboot the original J installation CD as this only opens a real can of worms A mixture of japanese /English and no way to alternate the two.I had to reinstall the O/S My question is this.How in hell can I install my sound device?????A virtual beer to any one that can help.Cheers in advance......

[Anonymous]

The sound device drivers should be located on your mfr. CD or on your motherboard (or soundcard) CD. Not on Windows. If you cannot find it, find out the make and model of your soundcard, and run a search for the drivers off the net. The download should be free.

Partitioning is not so difficult as has been suggested, though you may want to have a resourceful friend around the first time you use it. It is not at all unstable if you keep it simple. Partitioning is the only way to run both versions of Windows from one drive. Alternatively (and still not expensive)---install a second hard drive (both drives set to Master), and install one version of Windows on each. I'm going to be starting a service to build inexpensive English/bilingual desktops in about a week. I'll link the site in this forum once it is ready. If you'd already be interested, please email me.

One more comment: you can change control panel keyboard layout to match a Japanese keyboard. And finally, for many people: if you need only to view Japanese and limited input (like just for email, word processing), you only need English Win2000 or XP. You only need both if your significant-native needs all the menus, etc. in Japanese.

-fubar

[Gerry]

Thanks Fubar,Very helpful.However a couple of further questions from a total novice.Is the Japanese installation cd we recieved with the computer only concerned with windows operations or does it have hardware data on it.?Secondly, mfr cd ?????? I don't think I have one.But thanks again ,I think the best option is to locate and down load a sound device driver from the net(as soon as we hook up our connection.)Untill then ,I guess my little girl will have to play her cd roms in blissful silence.Cheers.

[Anonymous]

Gerry,

Seems my last post didn't make it... The 'Japanese Installation CD' sounds to me like the CD which came from your computer manufacturer (Dell, Gateway, etc.). Yes, it would most likely contain hardware drivers. If not, check to see whether the manufacturer sent CD's for the motherboard or soundcard. Downloading the drivers off the net is not a bad idea anyways, since the drivers have probably been updated. Let me know if you figure this out, and good luck... One more viable option is to call the manufacturer (of the computer) with your make and model.

-fubar

[Gerry]

fubar, Thanks for last post, This 'Installation CD' is the indeed the maufacturers one.As I have written,.It is in Japanese and although it contains important hardware,I won't touch the bloody thing as it plays havoc with my English O/S.Renders it very close to your pen name. Option #2 is the way to go, Cheers again.

[woody]

First some clarifications:

Windows XP comes in two flavors, the standard (internaionalized) version with IME support built in (this allows foreign language support, including alphabets like Japanese/Kanji or Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic). This is designed for users who have a lingua franca (say English) but need other language support (say they are a multinational with Japanese & Chinese offices).

The other is a "localized" version that is in the native language the software is released in, (but still has the IME built in). This is what you have.

When you install either version, you have the option to activate other languages. This will allow you to display Kanji, and type it in by using the IME toolbar. This language support extends to MS Office as well. Both have the needed "double-byte" support needed. Of course, with a Japanese localized version, when you install language support in XP, prompts and messages will be in Japanese.

Your FMV has a localized version. You can install English support (using the XP utilities or manually from a snap-in) and use a mix of English and Japanese software. Issues of mixed language menus and messages will crop up, but are not a compatibility issue.

In general driver support will be retained. This is because if you use WHQL certified drivers (driver signing is generally standard in XP), these are designed to be language independent. Device driver installation is accomplished using a scripting language that can finnd the needed file locations and registry entries across multiple languages.

Thus, is your are technically proficient, you can install hardware onto a Japanese XP OS even it all of its drivers are in English and vice versa.

So, (a) you do not need to buy a new OS if you can live with the mix-mash of language specific fonts; (b) you can buy a clear plastic keyboard cover and write the English characters on it if needed (if you post w/c FMV model, I can probably help you if an English keyboard is available; (c) you have XP; you do not really need partitioning (disclaimer: I do use Partition Magic on my notebook; but I am a technical support specialist and need multiple OS).
; (d) you do not absolutely need to import or buy and reinstall new software.

I speak out of personal experience. I setup the PCs and the LAN I am sending this message thru. I am using English Opera 7.1 on a Japanese computer w/a Japanese keyboard, Japanese Win XP with English IME, Japanese bundled software for the CD burner, to which I added English Nero sw; the LAN card is US als;. etc, etc. if you get my drift. My personal notebook is a second hand Japanese IBM model I converted to dual-language support, including updates to the original Japan installed firmware and device drivers.

And I do not speak Japanese either.

Hope this little bit helps.

[Anonymous]

Gerry,

If you can get a Japanese friend to help you... The hardware drivers for your soundcard should not fubar your English Windows. Although the *software* provided on the same cd, for the soundcard, might look like jibberish on your screen without the Japanese IME support.. If you can, install the device drivers only from the cd, and then download some free software in English off the net to make use of the card (software to play music cd's, for instance). Be sure to install the device drivers for your particular version of Windows (XP, not 98). Try tucows.com for software downloads--something like WinAmp or other free players... Hope it all works out.

[Anonymous]

WIN XP pro with MUI.
I could only find it at the pirate software houses in Hong Kong & Bangkok. Costs US$5

Before you yell at me for using "pirate" software please note that my machine came with a licenced and legit and paid for copy of WinXP Pro, but no MUI.

I could only buy that from the pirates. Thanks MSoft.

MUI is the answer to just about ALL the J-E and E-J problems. My laptop has 3 users installed. One is in full English, a second in Japanese and a third in traditional Chinese.

This laptop was bought in Japan and has the "Japan 106" keyboard. Needs the kbd setting to JP106 to put the : ; & * / & \ in the right places. In Japanese a backslash shows as a 'yen" symbol.

I am moving back to Japan soon and having ALL languages I use in one laptop is wonderful!

[Sean]

mate, forget about importing a computer from the states! Buy a mac powerbook and all your J & english worries are over!

If its mainly internet and basic word, excel etc that you want to use do you really need to change the OS? If you get english programs just install those and they will be in English of course!

[Gerry]

I'm jumping threads here .I need to thank Fubar for his advice on another thread.I have now successfully installed those pesky sound drivers.All it took was a couple of beers to sharpen the senses and the study of the wealth of information found within these forums.However, I am now keen to track down one of these MUIs also.So far,as I can understand,I either need to go the Far East and buy one in a back alley,or have a brother inAustralia .Are there any other options available?

[Anonymous]

No problem. I've received my fair share of advice on many a topic here. Yup, I too need that brother in Australia....

[Anonymous]

go to this site...they sell english computers imported from US. http://www.users-side.co.jp

They are located in Ebisu.Just ask!

[westsan]

http://www.plathome.co.jp also.

BTW: you should have NO trouble with English Software on a Japanese OS