Why can't my computer see Japanese characters?

[ConcertinoInBlu]

Whenever I'm on a site for learning Japanese (apart from here... *sweats*) my computer can't recognize Jpaanese characters, unless it's in a flash or picture. I have a Windows XP and It says that I need a CD that came with my computer to install it. Thing is, I got this computer in 2004 so I definately still don't have that CD.

Is there any other thing I can do so that I'll be able to see the JP characters?

[Drabant]

I think you need that CD. Good news is that it doesn't have to be the exact CD used to install your OS. You can borrow an XP CD from someone else. But it should be the same version of XP. If you use a different version it will probably fail.
Later version of Windows come with multilingual support preinstalled.

[QuackingShoe]

As long as your copy of windows is legit, you can download the IME: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6 ... fault.mspx

[murabito]

someplaces/software may be using 'unicode' characters - most fonts only have euro-letters. Microsoft distributes a fontcalled ARIALUNI.TTF with ALL the world characters through. It comes with MSOffice, but can be found online too. just drop it in your windows/fonts folder, and it might help (might not, but it's one source of problems

[ConcertinoInBlu]

As long as your copy of windows is legit, you can download the IME: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6 ... fault.mspx

Do I need to get the version NOT for Office XP or for Office XP? I hyave the Home version so maybe it's different?

EDIT: Well I'll be darn tootin, it works! Though for some sites, it doesn't show right away so I need to refrsh the page or manually click Japanese as the language on my browser.

But thanks

[vegna451]

I have the same problem and it didn't work for me. I'm running the Home version of Windows XP. I tried to global IME and it wouldn't even let me unpack it on this computer, and then I tried to IME for Office XP and that worked fine up until the end of installation where it said that I had to be running Office XP (which makes sense, I suppose, but still). It's so frustrating not being able to read Japanese and it's seriously putting a hamper on my learning. Can anyone help me out, please?

[manola]

It's so frustrating not being able to read Japanese and it's seriously putting a hamper on my learning.
sonnerie portable gratuite

[Psy]

Mac OSX:
http://www.japanesepod101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=204

Windows:
http://www.japanesepod101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9

JWPce is also available for Windows users.

For Windows users, if you don't have an OEM copy (one that came pre-instsalled) you *WILL* need an installation disc to install Japanese input support. 99% of the people who ask about this have for some reason or another have lost their disc, and at this point there is little else you can do without additional resources. Be responsible and treat your CD like it's $120-- because that's what it costs to replace it.

Thank you.

[jagiceva2422]

hi i cant see japanese letters too but i got this computer already installed from shop they said i need to set up but not how to do it..can anyone help me?

[mmmason8967]

Yes, I'm sure we'll be able to help. But we need a bit more information.

First, you say you can't see Japanese characters. What about 日本語？ Can you see those 3 kanji? What do you see if you go to a Japanese website, such as Amazon Japan?

Second, what kind of computer do you have?

If it's a Windows PC, can you click on the Start button in the lower left, and then in the 'Search programs and files' box type WINVER and press Enter. This will pop up a box telling you what version of Windows you have (something like Windows version 6.1, build 7601, service pack 1) . Can you tell us what it says?

[jagiceva2422]

ok...at Amazon Japan i can only see cubes with numbers and letters inside ,
and i have Windows XP Professional ver.5.1 , build 2600 , servisepack 3
i hope this can help

[mmmason8967]

ok...at Amazon Japan i can only see cubes with numbers and letters inside ,
and i have Windows XP Professional ver.5.1 , build 2600 , servisepack 3
i hope this can help

Yes, it does: you've got XP, it's up to date, but it doesn't have East Asian language support installed. To install support for East Asian languages, follow the instructions on this web page: Installing East Asian Language Support Under Windows XP.

To install the East Asian language support, follow steps 1 through 4.

To install Japanese input so that you can use your keyboard to type in Japanese, follow step 5 and then steps 15 through 18.

[jagiceva2422]

thank you very much ..you helped me a lot !!!but looks like i have to go back to the shop for the cd (which they didn't give me). they did installed it ,but to activate i still need the cd -.-'

[Lovejoy4441714]

mmmason8967, your instructions on getting my computer to recognize Japanese were great. Thanks for that link... it was MUCH clearer than a similar page I found elsewhere. My 10th grade daughter will be taking Japanese via BYU for her language credits for high school. She is totally fascinated with all things Japanese. Thanks again!