Changing language on Win XP computer

[BTB 500]

There are loads of software utilities that will extract your CD Key from the registry - but as you have just created a brand new registry without a key installed there is nothing for it to report back.

Assuming the Vaio was legitimately supplied with XP Home, you need a Sony Vaio XP Home restore disk set for the same model (or a Sony OEM installation disk for the same model).

You DON'T need to install using a key, the OEM Restore CD will recognise the system board and rebuild the XP installation over the top of it.

OEM restores do not use the CD Key on the Certificate of Authenticity as the registry is rebuilt onto the drive & not installed. Installation CDs will ask for the Key on the sticker before they run but if you have not used precisely the correct version of installation disk the Key won't work.

Microsoft will sell you a valid key over the 'phone if you need one.

Your alternative route for the Vaio depends on its age. If it was built post 2003 it will have a 5Gb hidden partition on the drive containing the (German) installation which you can restore by holding down the F10 key when you switch the machine on.

As the window will be in German you need to select the middle of the three options. This will restore XP Home (German) fully licenced.

(If you have reformatted the entire drive during the installtion process you may find this option is unavailable)

Pre-2003 Vaios come with System Recovery CDs

From a licencing point of view Microsoft's view is the Vaio came with a licensed version of XP Home provided by the manufacturer. This OEM version cannot be transferred and if you want an English version you should buy a replacement copy of Windows.

Thanks.

The machine does have a second partition, which was reported when I installed XP Pro last night. I left the file system alone, so it's still there.

So I could restore the German XP Pro build, but would then be back to square one.

It sounds like buying a new copy of Windows (is XP still available?) is the only option then, if the product key on the case won't work with 'any' XP Home install. Switching language should be a fairly basic operation in XP ... I had no idea the OEM installs were restricted in this way

 

[television]

I use XP, also I use a Swedish keyboard that will type in Swedish but using the UK English language.
You can use several languages at the same time, as once its set you have the Icon in the tool bar, where you can switch

 

[BTB 500]

I got the language toolbar up, and could switch from DE to EN ... but all the Windows menus and messages remained in German. Even after I made EN the default, and re-booted.

 

[jpskiller]

I got the language toolbar up, and could switch from DE to EN ... but all the Windows menus and messages remained in German. Even after I made EN the default, and re-booted.

That is all that will happen, the menus, dialogs etc are tied to the language when the system installs, the rest is as said before, just for different keyboard layouts, so onoly way to get english is to install in english.

In your predicament because you have a XP Home lic on pc, you could goto a PC SHop and ask for a copy of a OEM CD for small charge or even contact microsoft and say lost, with OEM copies you are only really paying for the License not the CD, that is why alot of pc's have inbuilt restores without a CD but do have a Licences on the Machine which is required by microsoft.

 

[masqueraid]

I use XP, also I use a Swedish keyboard that will type in Swedish but using the UK English language.
You can use several languages at the same time, as once its set you have the Icon in the tool bar, where you can switch

Agreed Malcolm, but this is not about the "Human Interface" language, Bill can set his German version of XP to accept an English (UK) keyboard, UK settings and dictionary but the essential operating system will display messages in German.

Like so ...

This can't be changed within the software - although annoyingly if you have an English language installation, corporate users can buy a utility to change this to a non-English system!



Bill, you can get XP Home retail for around £60. There are occasional bargains about but be wary of eBay etc, you not only need the English install disk but the all important CD-Key.

If you can prove original owenership of the laptop it may be worth contacting Sony and asking if - as you have now moved it to the UK - you could buy the English XP equivalent through them. They will need your serial number from the laptop and proof of purchase.

 

[BTB 500]

Thanks for the continued help & advice guys.

It's going to be easiest just to buy a retail copy of XP Home. The PC was my father-in-law's ... unlikely he still has proof of purchase etc. I think.