Changing language on Thai software...need help!

Post by **semperfiguy** » June 10, 2012, 1:08 pm

I have a friend who took his computer in for a clean-up. It was having all sorts of complications, and the technician downloaded what appears to be all Thai Windows and Microsoft software. Word 2010 comes up in the Thai language and with any web pages where a AM or PM or date is supposed to appear, the dates are written in Thai and there is a question mark in time slots. Also, when he wants to print a document, all the instruction windows come up in the Thai language. I have gone to Control Panel and chosen Australia under Region and Language, but this doesn't seem to help with these problems. Can anyone advise me on this?

Post by **jackspratt** » June 10, 2012, 1:20 pm

If the computer previously had English versions of Windows and Office, I would be taking it back to the "technician", and demanding he remove the Thai, and replace it with English.

To try and change it yourself is problematic, and will very much depend on what version of Windows was installed, and then being able to read Thai as you make the adjustments.

You will also likely need an English Windows disc, because if you try to install English Windows from the web (ie Microsoft, via Updates) they are probably going to detect that both Windows and Office are dodgy copies.

Post by **udonthani** » June 10, 2012, 1:31 pm

In other words: you are in deep ----

Post by **BobHelm** » June 10, 2012, 1:32 pm

You don't say what version of Windows he is running semperfi.
I think that there are different routes to take when installing another language depending on if the system is XP, Vista or 7. Indeed there are different routes depending on what version of 7, for example, he has installed.
It is also another issue to change the language on Microsoft Office, over & above the operating system change.

If he has little personal data on the machine I would actually re-install Windows & Office using English as the primary language, rather than mess about attempting to alter a Thai language version on a machine into English...make sure that he has copied off any personal data that he wants to re-install afterwards.

There are very few places that I would take a computer of mine to be 'repaired' in Udon.
Their usual action is to wipe the disk & re-instal the system. If you are lucky they will have backed up your personal data first (not withstanding that could actually be the source of the original problem)...When they re-instal the software they will, undoubtedly, load it up with all sorts of other crappy free versions of programs that are either worthless or require registration & payment after a month.

There are plenty of high quality & free programs readily available on the net to enable even the computer novice to resolve most software related issues....hardware is a different matter, but not one too often encountered either.

Post by **semperfiguy** » June 10, 2012, 1:49 pm

You're exactly right...they did a backup on a disc and also saved his favorites and pictures in separate files, then they loaded him down with all sorts of free or counterfeit downloads including Windows 7. He's already getting a pop-up window at each new start-up that says his Windows 7 is about to expire and needs a license key number to activate it. Up until now I have advised him just to close the window and continue on. I uploaded his photos off the disc and since he had so few favorites, I just started those up from scratch. And Yes, he did have a legal English copy of Windows 7 before he went to the technician, but he did not have Windows Office Professional which includes Word...only a trial version. Should I just advise him to go back to the technician and let that guy take care of his problem? I'm no computer geek, but I know just enough to get by.

Post by **BobHelm** » June 10, 2012, 2:00 pm

If he still has his original Windows English version then it really should not be much of a problem to re-instal it.
However I am guessing that he probably had an OEM Windows pre-installed on the computer when he bought it.
If that is the case, that he does not have original installation disks, then he is in trouble...

Going back to the technician that made this mess is probably the only alternative that he has. However it looks like he will end up with a non compliant version of Windows & a trial version of Office - about as useful as a chocolate teapot - even if he does that...

There are alternatives, but not for the computer illiterate.

The easy solution, although others may disagree, is for you & him to look at what free versions of Linux are available to download . Decide which one he likes the look of (I would suggest probably Ubuntu 12.04 for someone not too technical minded) download it & reinstall over the Thai Windows system in English.
Add the free option of Libre Office (for Word, Excel & Access options) & away he can go with no pop up windows saying anything...

Post by **semperfiguy** » June 10, 2012, 2:30 pm

Thanks all for the advice! I think I'll just send him back to the technician and let them figure it all out. I thought the solution might be as simple as making a few clicks here and there.

Post by **parrot** » June 10, 2012, 3:08 pm

I've gone through 4 computers and a variety of computer-related problems over 15 years of living here. Only one shop didn't gang-load my computer with games/illicit programs/music......Hardware House (in the complex) gave me a squeaky clean computer with legitimate Windows 7 and no unwanted frills. I downloaded openoffice, avast (now using microsoft security essentials), spybot, starter, and pdf-xchange viewer. Knock on wood.....2.5 years of daily use with no problems.

Post by **jonny_w** » June 11, 2012, 3:05 am

not fun learning the hard way? I do my own IT tech work, and have clones of my hard drives, if anything goes wrong, I swap out drives. I also keep full size back ups too.
I still have an ad in the UM classifieds.

they will do a WGA and activation killer, 2 software programs that stop the activation notice and replace the WGA splash screen

Post by **bluejets** » June 11, 2012, 7:01 am

Language selection and support is in control panel like you said but unless the alternatives were loaded (not normally) then you need the system disc so back to square 1.

Post by **rjj04** » June 11, 2012, 7:36 am

Might be a blessing in disguise.... move to Linux and you'll see. No more buying anti-virus s/w, or anti-spyware, or any s/w for that matter. Bob Helm gives good advice, as usual!

Post by **Philrjones** » June 11, 2012, 11:22 am

If teh guy has his original installation discs (in English) then I wouldn't bother with going back to the tech guy. Just reformat and reinstall the original discs.

This wipes the drive completely clean of everything - including viruses and trojans, then installs your correct version in its place. You will lose everything on the PC, so make sure you take a copy of anything you want to save first. To do that, either use a decent size flash drive if you haven't got an external back up drive, or alternatively, store what you want to keep on cloud computing. Hotmail has something called Skydrive where you can upload anything. There are heaps of others too.

Personally I store my thing on Skydrive or Google Docs, plus back up important only docs on a flashdrive. After several PC hard drive crashes and losing things, I'm now prepared!

I've had to reformat and reinstall my laptop twice in about 7 years - it's easy to do - follow the instructions that come up when you're installing from the original discs. As for legit software, it's easy to order off the internet, but remember to get them to deliver the original discs to you if you choose the instant download option. Then you can reinstall in the future if required.

Cheers,
Phil

Post by **jackspratt** » June 11, 2012, 11:31 am

A final suggestion - unless the guy has complex documents/spreadsheets etc originating from MS Office, tell him to download and use Open Office.

I have deleted MS Office from my PC and lappy, and am quite happily using OO.

Post by **Philrjones** » June 11, 2012, 1:50 pm

Hey Jack - thanks for that info. I'm going to give open office a whirl and if any good I'll get rid of my MS Office.

Post by **udonthani** » June 11, 2012, 2:03 pm

Just another topic. I have found the best cafe in Udorn with free WiFi 150Mhz rate ,and you have lot of free bandwith, everything from drinks to food is resonable 50 bht, one price only, very friendly staff, addr. is on Phonpisai rd. close to Udorn Steakhouse, name Mini Cafe

Post by **BobHelm** » June 11, 2012, 2:19 pm

Before you go for Open Office Phil you might want to look at Libre Office.
http://www.libreoffice.org/download/instructions/

Bit of history...
Open Office was developed & owned by Sun Micro Computers. However it was 'open source' & Sun had a great name in the free software world. However about 3 years ago Sun were bought out by Oracle. Most of the 'players' in the open source software field were highly suspicious of Oracle's intent around Open Office.
In fairness, so far, Oracle have changed very little.
However many of the developers working on Open Office left the project & formed another project called Libre Office.
It started with the same open source software as OO but have been pretty strongly developed & rewritten over the last 3 years.

Originally most versions of Linux came with immediate access to OO however that has now changed & I believe all (at least all the big players) come with direction & support to Libre Office.

It is still not as good as Microsoft Office as far as high end Access & Excel users are concerned, however it is more than sufficient for just about any use that a home, or small business, user is likely to need.
The same is true of Open office, although it is generally recognised that the Open source world is engaged in developing Libre & rather left OO to its' own devices..

Post by **Philrjones** » June 11, 2012, 3:43 pm

Thanks Bob - I'll check them both out.