Microsoft language question

[canman]

I just bought a new computer for the family, and the OS and everything is in Japanese. It didn't come with Office XP, but I have the English version that came with my computer. Do you think there will be any problems if I load it onto the Japanese OS computer? I wonder if it will even let me, doesn't MS not allow you to use their programs more than once? Thanks for the help.

[Big Booger]

It should work fine. In fact, I think my wife's computer is set up this way. And another PC has an English OS and a Japanese office suite. With no problems either way.

[FG Lurker]

Definitely no problem to install it. You can even install multiple languages of Office 2K/XP and switch between them with the Language Tools. I do this with English and Japanese Office 2K sometimes.

You may have activation problems installing Office XP on more than one computer. ([w]2K [size=-8]*cough*[/size] doesn't suffer from such problems[/w])

If you have more questions feel free to PM or email me.....

[Hanakuso]

Another option, If you want to continue to be able to use the Japanese OS is to do a partition and have English OS on one partition and Japanese on the other... I have this setup on my girlfriends laptop and it is convenient as..

[Mini_B]

I just bought a Vaio VGN-UX50 - Japanese software only. Although I can manage in JP, I'd rather have an English version of Windows running. Would I have to wipe out the JP version of windows and install and English version? Or is there a way to simply switch the software to English in the settings?

[FG Lurker]

I just bought a Vaio VGN-UX50

My sincere condolences.

Japanese software only. Although I can manage in JP, I'd rather have an English version of Windows running. Would I have to wipe out the JP version of windows and install and English version? Or is there a way to simply switch the software to English in the settings?

There is no way to switch the currently installed Windows system from Japanese to English.

You can try to install English XP onto the computer, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

1) You will have to buy another copy of XP because the key that came with your Sony will not work with English XP.

2) Sony likes to put tons of proprietary features into their computers. Extra buttons, knobs, dials, memory stick slots, whatever. None of this will work on English Windows as Sony does not provide a way to download the complete drivers, only updates and patches. Welcome to the world of Sony "support".

3) Be careful to back up your current Japanese XP install as you quite likely do not have media with which to reinstall it. Sony will be of no help if you wipe the drive, and you will get the pleasure of paying them to replace your Windows installation if you can't get English XP working. Do not expect speedy service either.

My suggestion for next time: Buy an IBM or Toshiba (or even a Dell) that already has English Windows installed on it. Or get an Acer or ASUS laptop with no Windows and then pick up English XP for it. Any of the above ways will get you a better machine with fewer headaches, probably at a lower price too.

[Taro Toporific]

I just bought a Vaio VGN-UX50

My sincere condolences.
...1) You will have to buy another copy of XP because the key that came with your Sony will not work with English XP....
....My suggestion for next time: Buy an IBM or Toshiba (or even a Dell) that already has English Windows installed on it....

Yep. I also had all the same problem with an office full Japanese Dells with Japanese XP that refused to switch to English for me (even though my Dell running English Windows XP back in the States will switch to Japanese without a problem). Some Japanese computer companies will sell a computer with English XP installed at no extra change (Toshiba Online is good), but Vaio is the worse of all major Japanese brands.

[Mini_B]

Thanks for your advice. I was on the phone with Sony Japan for a while. What a bunch of losers they are over there. They didn't wanna offer any type of help whatsoever and told me that I should go buy another overseas model. So, I'm just going to use this thing in Japanese...but I wonder how the guys on eBay are switching it over to EN. Search VGN-UX50 and you'll see a couple for sale that were not overseas models, but switched OS to EN.

If anyone figures this out, please let me know. I'll think twice about buying a Sony in the future. Is there a comparable model to the VGN-UX50 from another maker? If so, I might YAHOO this thing.

Thanks