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Codepage question

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9 replies

by hpoppe

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I,m using several PCs running Windows (98SE, ME, Win2Kpro) and some Linux machines. On the Linux I use the iso8859-1 char.set. On the WinMachines it is Codepage 850. There are differences (Windows regional settings are set for Norwegian Keyboard layout). On the numeric part of the keyboard pressing the "," key prints "," to the screen (or file) while on the Linux it prints ".". How can I set up the Windows machines to do the same? That is, to print "." when the "," key is pressed on the numerickeyboard? Changing numbers or currencies in Regional Settings in the controlpanel does not work. It is just so much more convenient to get the "." I do not want to lose the Norwegian keyboard layout, since changing to a US keyboard will deprive me of special letters used in the Norwegian alphabet.

9 replies

by sixfourtykilo

On the windows machines, you have to think back to DOS (does not include win2k). No matter what microsoft tells you, 98 and ME still rely on the old DOS format to get the job done. Now I don't remember if ANSI.SYS must be loaded, but COUNTRY.SYS and KEYBOARD.SYS must be loaded in the CONFIG.SYS. I have an MS-DOS 5.0 book which kind of explains how to use these files but are not concise. I know that you can define COUNTRY in config.sys as COUNTRY=047,,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND
Norway is 047, the codepage, which is the extra comma, doesn't seem to be required as it grabs the default codepage. The C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND is required for where ever the COUNTRY.SYS file is located on your drive. There is a whole chapter on costumizing the keyboard for international use, which eventually uses the KEYBOARD.SYS in some manner. If you need more info, you can contact me.

Hope this helps.
640k

by sixfourtykilo

I noticed I may have strayed away from what you were actually asking in your question. To reassign keys to other keys, you can use keyb.com - this comes with MS-DOS 5.0, but it seems that they have dumped it since the invention of Win95, etc. You may still be able to get ahold of this file, either from an old DOS disk, or other means.

Good Luck!
640k

by sixfourtykilo

When working for foreign computers and/or languages, its not just a matter of changing a character. Working with Japanese and German computers in the past have shown this true and true. If it were as easy as changing a few characters, I wouldn't have to remember what each aspect of windows is by heart in order to use other language PCs. It may end up being as difficult as also acquiring a copy of whatever language OS you need (win for norway, etc). I wish I had more experience so that I maygive you a more concise answer.

Good luck once again!
640k

by fenaikh

Hi
Article ID: Q214408
Problems with Real-Mode Keyboard Driver and International Code Page
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q214/4/08.ASP

pls read this article from microsoft and
there are tools to help you change characters one comes with win98 charmap.exe which
help you to to chose charcter and copy it then insert it in any doc.
the other one is Chdoscp.exe (MS-DOS Code Page Changer) which comes with win98 resource kit

it looks to me that you need to change the speration character for desmial or digital grouping
symbol.

start->setting-control panel->Regional Settings-(TAB) number ->goto decimal symbol and chose
the . if the character is not there just press it then enter it will be avilable after that.
if you need more info pls send a msg to me

good luck

Mohamed
fenaikh@hotmail.com
.

by hpoppe

Charmap has nothing to do with this. Regional settings have been tried, no success.

by fenaikh

Hi
chamap gives the chance to replace any char with any char or symbol that mean if yoy are using a doc or a sheet or so.
secondly if you read what i wrote cearfully and tried the way i did it well work becuase it work with me when i used it to change the . char with , which we use to represent the decimal poit in a work sheety the way i am using a defirent code page than
USA,or Norwegian.
I will try Norwegian then i will tell you if it worked with me.

by the way which application you are using this for so i could try itand pls give an example such are using it with excel or word... Iam just trying to help and learn.
By the way have you read about Chdoscp.exe (MS-DOS Code Page Changer) which comes with win98 resource kit.

good luck

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