Hello All:

I'm thinking of buying an Acer Aspire One netbook (subnotebook), which comes loaded with Windows XP Home.

Problem is, Acer doesn't have an option to purchase XP install discs with the system.

But as far as I know, it is not possible to activate the Asian languages function in XP without loading them from the install discs.

Has anyone had a successful experience running Japanese on this or a similar system that didn't come with XP install discs?

FYI, I have two year old legit XP install discs from a desktop, but I'm not sure I could load them onto a different system with a different serial number etc.

I have an eeepc which I set up for Japanese, BUT I installed my own copy of xp on it. The problem with a netbook (and probably the reason you cant get an install disc from acer) is that they don't have dvd-rom drives, so it's very difficult to actually install windows on them. It took me a few days following a number of different guides, before I was able to successfully install windows on my eee through a usb drive (and I'm a fairly technically minded person).

Oh but anyways I just happened to think. You don't really need the install discs to install Japanese support, you simply need the correct files that it will install. If you have the files installed on another system, you can copy them to a usb drive and then tell windows to install them from there. The only problem is knowing what files it will be looking for (windows will tell you the filenames when it wants to install them, but only one at a time...). Maybe a google search could get you a list of files.

Zarxrax, taking your idea a step further, I could copy the entire XP install discs to a USB flash drive, and then point Control Panel to the flash drive when it asks for the install discs.

But will there be any kind of security/compatibility issue? Will the OS files on the flash drive reject the file transfer since my netbook serial number won't much match my desktop serial number?

And would there be compatibility issues in installing files from two year old discs for a Dell desktop (pre-SP2, I believe) to a laptop? Pretty sure the main operational files would be the same, but maybe supplementary/technical files that interface with the hardware could conflict?

I would lean towards saying you should be fine, but I'm not certain.

I purchased a legitimate copy of Windows when I built my computer about 3 months before moving to Japan (didn't know I was moving to Japan until right before I came here, so I drug my computer along with me). The install disk didn't make its way over to Japan or was lost, somewhere... stupid mistake on my part.

So, at some point I found myself wanting to install the Asian language fonts. So a torrented copy of windows, solely to mount with CD Drive emulator software to install the language files off of worked perfectly. Sorry for advocating piracy.

So anyways, you could clone your windows CD, I suppose, then just copy it onto the netbook and use emulation software. As far as I remember, when installing the language files it just detects if the CD is present (or "present" via emulation). I didn't have to reenter my serial numbers or check with the current copy I had.

Anyways, I also own an Acer One netbook (purchased in Japan, so no problem for me). Ever consider purchasing one from Japan, loaded with Japanese windows? This will also give you a pretty sweet chance to mess around with Japanese Windows.

http://www.acer.co.jp/buyacer/

You'll have to explore around and try to find one that ships overseas. I think this is possible, though I have no experience with this kinda thing.

I use my netbook primarily to run Anki on at work... in fact, you could say I paid about $600 just to use the PC version of Anki at work. heh.. anyways, well worth it, though. And it fits VERY nicely into my backpack.

Ah, sorry - here links to many Japanese websites for ordering it over the internet.

http://www.acer.co.jp/buyacer/personal/internet.html

Probably most easily, this one:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_e/24...words=acer

I'm not sure if this applies to your netbook but my laptop didn't come with the OS CD so when installing the Asian languages I just had to point it to my i386 folder on my hard drive.

Just type Japanese in an English OS

http://ajaxime.chasen.org/

chuubaka Wrote:FYI, I have two year old legit XP install discs from a desktop, but I'm not sure I could load them onto a different system with a different serial number etc.

Now, MS has XP, XP SP1, XP SP2 and XP SP3 - each comes as home or pro - so you will run into problems (like a certain cab file not found and installation cannot continue) if you use installation disks of different service pack as the one used to install in the factory. In other words, if Acer used XP SP2 to install MS Windows XP on your system, then you need to use an XP SP2 to install Japanese support.

However, if you can put your hands on this system (for example in a showroom), you can check if it has a folder - usually named I386 - on the C: drive. For example, IBM / Lenovo, provide this I386 folder on the C: drive which is a copy from the windows installation CD. So later, if you need the installation CD, you just point the installation program to the C:\I386 and get the required files. I never had the chance to play with an Acer so I don't know if such a folder exists.

Obviously, the other option would be to have hold of different XP versions. If this is a recent laptop, then most likely the installation is done from XP SP2 or XP SP3 installation CD. So if you can manage to borrow these, it can solve your problem.

Good luck!

Christmas Day Postscript:

I took a chance and bought the Acer netbook, and the good news is that it comes loaded with the full Asian language function on the hard disc. (Apparently it was not so on early releases of the machine.) You still have to go into Control Panel and specify that you want to add the Asian language function, but the machine then knows where to find the necessary install files on the hard disc. No need to point it to a certain directory, or to insert the install discs in the (non-existent) CD/DVD drive.

First impressions are that it is a slick little machine that does almost everything a full-sized laptop would do, but in a 1 KG package for only $375.

Happy Holidays everyone, and thanks for your information.

Chewie

Hi,

I have an Acer Aspire One, got the linux version and replaced the installed OS (linous lite) with Ubuntu by installing from a USB stick. Full japanese support was easily installed on Ubuntu.asian langua

The windows version (as you have discovered) now supports asian langauge out-of-the-box, after you turn it on. For older versions, you can download the East Asian Language pack and install is as an exe from MS website.

I've got full laptop functionality out of my aspire one, it's the best buy I've ever made. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a mobile japanese study tool (which is why I bought mine).

Merry Xmas

Yup, I'll echo that.. I COMPLETELY recommend it for a lightweight study tool.

Does anyone have an offline dictionary that they use with theirs?

I use a blank local HTML page with a javascript textbox on it and Rikai-chan as my "dictionary". heh... it works, but it's dirty. Though it's pretty nice to type in sentences and parse them easily.

Most of my day at work is spent without internet access, which is a blessing as I'm much more productive without it.

Anyways, I'd be willing to buy a really good dictionary program.. I just haven't seen any.

I just got a Eee PC 1000HA and it had the language packs already installed I believe. I simply had to go in and activate them. It MIGHT have automatically hooked up to Microsoft and downloaded them but honestly I can't remember. Either way it didn't require any noticeable effort.


I will also back up the statement that this is by far the best investment I've made for learning Japanese. The thing is so small that it is truly portable, unlike most other laptops, and I honestly take it with me every where. I had thought about getting a fancy phone for Anki but after getting this thing there is honestly no point. I run an under clocking program on mine and under constant use it gives me over 6+ hrs on a full charge. Even under clocked nearly 40% it still runs normal applications perfectly fine.

nest0r Wrote:I've been meaning to get one of these for the longest time now, after reading about all of the 'hacks' available. What is your portable Japanese-learning environment like on one of these? Just Anki?

It has everything I have on my desktop PC. In fact since I've had my netbook I probably only turn on my desktop once every couple of days. I use it for Anki, Tae-Kim grammar, iKnow, podcasts, online J-TV shows, this site, etc. In fact I'm using it right now as I sit here in bed.

Besides having everything all in one place that I can take anywhere the biggest benefit is simply the increased motivation. I don't know about you guys but sitting in front of a desktop all day trying to learning something makes it feel like work. Being able to sit on my porch, in the bed or on the couch just makes it 10x easier to stay motivated to learn.

nest0r Wrote:I've been meaning to get one of these for the longest time now, after reading about all of the 'hacks' available. What is your portable Japanese-learning environment like on one of these? Just Anki?

I also have an Acer Aspire one. I erased the OS and installed the newest Ubuntu (Intrepid Ibex). My primary apps are Anki and Comix (http://comix.sourceforge.net).

Comix is the best comics/manga reader in the world. It even has a "manga mode" to read manga. Once things are set up, you simply hit spacebar and it automatically scrolls to the next section of the page for you to read (from right-to-left top-to bottom). It also has a "magnifying lens" so that you can zoom in and read the furigana. You can leave the manga volumes in their original *.zip and *.rar files. If the files names are in order Comix can even automatically open up the next manga volume when you finish the last page!

For *.RAR/*.CBR archive support (recommended), run "sudo apt-get install unrar" in Ubuntu.

NOTE: manually download and install the software from the homepage.
If you use "sudo apt-get install comix" on Ubuntu, you'll get a really old version.
Instead, get the newest version(4.0.1 at this time) from the homepage.

================================================
COMIX SETUP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MANGA
================================================

Here's how to set it up:

First, run Comix as root (this might not be necessary, but i do it anyway)

Go to Edit -> Preferences -> Behaviuor menu

Make sure the following options are checked (uncheck everything else):
"Use smart space key scrolling"
"Flip two pages in double page mode"
"Automatically open the next archive"
"Automatically open the last viewed volume on "startup"
"Store information about recent files"
"Use a cache to speed up browsing"
NOTE: Uncheck "Store thumbnails for opened files" if you want to save space

Go to Edit -> Preferences -> Display menu

Make sure the following options are checked
"Use double page mode by default"
"Use full screen by default"
"Use manga mode by default"

For me, setting the default zoom mode doesn't seem to work.
I don't know if there is a bug, but I always have to hit "b" (for best fit mode)
and then hit "a" for manual zoom mode to turn on.

Keyboard controls:

Press "g" to turn magnifying glass on and off (move mouse to magnify image)
Press "f" for fullscreen mode
Press "e" for brightness/contrast/saturation/sharpness settings (it even has an auto feature)

Explore the menus for more options.

Now just open up your favorite manga in ZIP/RAR/CBR format
and simply use spacebar to scroll through the pages.

Happy reading!

sorry for the long post and constant edits. I finally ironed out all the issues so far. Just follow instructions as written.

Wow, I think it might be time for me to invest in a new device, and to finally try out Linux.

I'm using the Samsung NC10 and love it!

I'm using it now even, with anki, skype, utorrent and seven tabs open in firefox and it's very zippy. The keyboard's nice, but I wish there was room for the end and home keys to have their own key.

I put on Japanese Windows XP pro but i requires some tinkering -

I took a one gig usb stick and formatted it with some software (can't quite remember the name "boot from usb" or similar). To do this I also needed access to the Japanese XP CD. Then I just made the netbooks bios boot from the usb, installed windows, then reinstalled all the drivers and now everything works fine.

The cool thing about using Japanese version of windows is that it allows me to easily get japanese apps. When I downloaded firefox - i got the Japanese version automatically. Google also automatically ranks Japanese pages first. So it forces me to come into contact in Japanese even when I'm idling browsing. (which I seem to do far too much of)