How to Switch Character Encoding in Windows XP (PC Version importers, read this!)

[imported_PiNG]

EDITED BY NAKAHITO KOUGEN: This information has sinced been moved to the website.
For Windows XP: http://www.ffxionline.com/modules.ph...howpage&pid=42
For Windows 2000: http://www.ffxionline.com/modules.ph...howpage&pid=42
Thus, this thread has been un-stuck.


I have copied Angler's guide back since it is so useful

This is a simple guide to help everyone be able to change their character encoding in Windows XP to be able to play Final Fantasy XI. At this point, I very much doubt that the game will run under anything other than Windows XP should it not be a Japanese version of Windows.

1. Open the Control Panel and double-click on the "Regional and Language Settings" icon.


2. Here are your current Regional settings. Click on the "Languages" tab.


3. Make sure the check box labelled "Install files for East Asian Languages" is selected (if it's not, check it now). Click on the "Advanced" tab.


4. From the drop-down menu, choose "Japanese".


You will need to restart your computer to complete the change. Your computer will now natively display Japanese characters in your programs - using different fonts for display, basically.

* * * NOTE: Windows 2000 is unable to do this. You must use Windows XP to change your character encoding.

Hope this helped someone.
Angler

[sarkiss]

If i dont have my windows xp CD, and need to install the language.. how do i?? and yes i do have the CD somewhere...lol i didnt dl it from kazaa or anythiung

[spiezzaossa]

It works also for Win2k, BUT if you change that: all windows will work as japanese (Example, windows update will be all in japanese).

[BoogleyBoogley]

Wait I'm really confused...T_T;; does this mean that we have to change our language on our comp to Japanese to play FFXI...? ::dies:: i am so stupid today so don't look at me like an airhead ok. I prefer burnout. lol :angel:

[Sindinista]

no just the stuff thats supposed to be in japanese will appear in japanese instead of jibberish

[Yoshiyuki]

But i can´t read Japanese anyway, it dosn´t matter if it is jibberish where it should be japanese text. Or does it?

[AKosygin]

For MOST Japanese applications (like FF XI), If you can not read the Japanese properly and it is all jibberish and not Japanese, the install or program might fail. Because the path name will also use the Japanese encoding.

If you have problems with Windows Update defaulting to Japanese, try this:

Set the LOCALE to ENGLISH

HOWEVER, set the LANUAGE DEFAULT FOR SYSTEM to Japanese.

The Locale I refer to is the one that controls the currency symbol and date formats, in Win2K it is USER LOCALE and I believe it is more clearly distinguished in WinXP.

The LANGUAGE SETTING I refer to is the one for the SYSTEM, NOT user. The default for the system will affect install programs that have options to change to another language. I believe in WinXP, that setting is more distinguished as the default settings for non-unicode applications.

BEWARE: Some software like drivers and international applications have the ability to adapt based on the language of the OS. And when you set this default it will try to install in the default language you just set, in this case JAPANESE!

Examples are like MD player drivers, since the drivers are developed in Japan, they have a Japanese options.

I have had problems with Creative Labs drivers where you go select to download the English version. Then when you go install it, the drivers will fail because it will try to look for Japanese files and install it in Japanese when those files do not exist! In such a case, set the language back to English, install the application/drivers, then set it back to Japanese before you play FF XI.


ADDITIONAL NOTES: Setting the system default language gives you the ability to save files in Japanese. That means you can rename your files to Japanese and also download Japanese labeled files. But beware, if you switch your language back to US encoding, you may lose access to those Japanese files AND be unable to delete it. In which case, you need to change it back to Japanese default, rename the file, then change back to English default. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT FILE NAMES WHICH ARE ALL IN ENGLISH CHARACTERS. WARNING: Do NOT change any important file names to Japanese (ex: system files), you may risk causing data damage. If in doubt, leave it in English.

[Elguapo_85]

Ok I have no problem changing back from my language and japanese the only problem is my aunt uses Outlook Express and when I put it in Japanese so I can view and write japanese characters and run FFXI it does not let her view her previously recieved messages. Has anyone experienced this? Or know how I can put it in Japanese and she can still keep her messages?

[AKosygin]

For that, you need to set it so all users use English, while only YOU use Japanese. Which means, you need to make sure you have two profiles / users.

Also, it is the non-unicode applications that needs to remain in Japanese. Unfortunately, that may also lead to Outlook Express switching too since Microsoft Apps now have International encoding already in it. Which means you will just need to reset it every time you use it. (Or you can just dual boot if you have the space.)

[Tidus4444]

I also lost my Win XP disc. The wierd thing is, it doesn't ask me to put the win xp disc in. It just says windows could not copy the appropraite file. And yes, as far as I know, you do need it because there are certain parts in the registry where you have to put in a Jap character that you cannot put in unless you have followed this guide. It sucks.

[ShirtNinja]

my computer already had it all installed, and didn't ask for the disc at all. thanx a heap for showing me that, though, because my other computer still doesn't read oriental stuff.