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Changing language XP-version from german to thai (or english)?

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Bernd Leutenecker

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Jun 23, 2009, 3:28:00 PM6/23/09
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Hello!

I have an old notebook with Windows XP pro,
german, 32-bit, 40 GB Harddisk and 512 or
1024 MB RAM (can't remember right now; but
I know that more RAM is not supported by
the BIOS and/or motherboard).

I would like to give it to the child of a
friend in Thailand - but as I have a german
version of XP I would like to know if and how
I (legally!) may change to a thai or english
version of XP.
I want to reinstall the notebook here at home
with that thai or english XP-version (or mayby
install the german XP pro I got and the apply
e. g. language-files to switch to english or
thai), with a free virus-protection and some
more software (e. g. my old Office 2000 pro
- but which is in german too).

I'd rather not buy a XP-'licence' in Thailand
as they often are illegal copies - and
moreover at least hardware and presumably
software is sometimes more expensive than
here in Germany!

Thank you!

Bernd Leutenecker

Bernd Leutenecker

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Jun 27, 2009, 5:48:47 PM6/27/09
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Hello!

No ideas / hints?
Isn't there maybe just a language file
that would switch my german XP pro to
a thai (or english) version?

I haven't tried this yet: When I
reinstall XP pro can I easily swith
the system-language to thai or at least
english?

Thank you!

Bernd Leutenecker

Paul

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Jun 27, 2009, 6:13:30 PM6/27/09
to
Bernd Leutenecker wrote:
> Hello!
>
> No ideas / hints? Isn't there maybe just a language file that would
> switch my german XP pro to a thai (or english) version?
> I haven't tried this yet: When I reinstall XP pro can I easily swith the
> system-language to thai or at least english?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Bernd Leutenecker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multilingual_User_Interface (MUI)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_Interface_Pack (LIP)

Windows XP Starter Edition (for Thailand), 800x600 resolution, pathetic

http://www.infocellar.com/xp-se.htm

Paul

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Jun 29, 2009, 6:38:19 PM6/29/09
to
Unless you format and do a clean install of a legitimate Thai- or
English-language version of WinXP, the answer is No.

Bruce Chambers

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Jun 29, 2009, 9:59:27 PM6/29/09
to


You cannot upgrade or convert from one language version of the OS
to another, so you'll have to purchase and use the full version of WinXP
(in whatever language you want) to perform a clean installation.

Cannot Upgrade or Install a Different Language Version of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;282089


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Bernd Leutenecker

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Jul 9, 2009, 10:22:06 AM7/9/09
to
Hello!

I just called the german MS-Support to ask e. g.
for a 'Multilanguage Pack' for an existing german
XP pro-license to reinstall it in another
language.
I have been told that I don't have to buy a new
license but need to get a language pack / the MUI.
But this I will have to find in other stores as
MS doesn't offer XP-products any more.

Well, right now I am somewhat confused as it
seems that I would need an english XP-version
in order to use the MUI which I don't have.
On the other hand the MS-Support didn't tell me
that?!

So is there a way to switch from an existing
XP pro-german to an english / MUI-version keeping
the already existing license or was this
information from the MS-Support wrong (as the
previous answers to my original post suggest)?

I haven't tried Windows 7 RC1 yet on that
machine but I am pretty sure that this notebook
is just too old for it.
I thought about installing a Linux-version but
to my knowledge I will have the same problem
getting an older version (but with necessary
fixes) working on an old notebook. Using a
recent Linux-edition won't work either because
of the very old hardware.

Thank you!

Bernd Leutenecker

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Jul 9, 2009, 3:57:32 PM7/9/09
to
See the two (2) 29 Jun-09 replies to your post, Bernd:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/88fc008288ad2493/e68804aeccf3019f

You can still enable or install Thai-language MUI support (cf.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/reginalsup.mspx) but
it will still be a German-language version of WinXP.

If you want to convert the laptop to a Thai-language version of WinXP, you
will have to purchase & install such a full-retail version of WinXP (which
will require formatting the HDD and reinstalling the laptop-specific drivers
from the CDs that came with the machine).

> I'd rather not buy a XP-'licence' in Thailand
> as they often are illegal copies - and
> moreover at least hardware and presumably
> software is sometimes more expensive than
> here in Germany!

So buy it in Germany or open your purse a little wider in the interests of
charity.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

Bernd Leutenecker

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Jul 10, 2009, 8:33:54 AM7/10/09
to
Hello!

"Bernd Leutenecker" <be...@nurfuerspam.de> schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:7bmcocF...@mid.individual.net...

>
> I just called the german MS-Support to ask e. g.
> for a 'Multilanguage Pack' for an existing german
> XP pro-license to reinstall it in another
> language.
> I have been told that I don't have to buy a new
> license but need to get a language pack / the MUI.
> But this I will have to find in other stores as
> MS doesn't offer XP-products any more.


Well, as it turns out I do have to buy another
license of XP (MUI, EUR 109,--). This together
with the cost for a language pack for my Office
2000 pro (EUR 79,--) is too expensive - especially
for products with (or with soon) terminated support.
I will try to buy a much cheaper solution via eBay.
Windows 7 will be sold much cheaper in October - but
that will be too late (and I don't know if this old
notebook would work with Windows 7 and vice versa ...).
If I can't purchase a cheap english XP- (and maybe
Office-) version the next weeks I will try to install
Linux.

Thanks for all replies to my post.

Bernd Leutenecker

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Jul 10, 2009, 12:56:38 PM7/10/09
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Charitable intentions usually do involve some cost, Bernd.
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