Giving my girl a lap top

[nitrous]

hi there guys. I have 2 spare laptops at home, and the girl i have been communicating with doesnt have a laptop or a webcam.
SO i offered to give her my old laptop which collects dust. IT runs on win xp fine. but i was wondering how you change the language to russian and english and back again. ive looked at the control panel, it has the russian language installed but i dont know where to change the writing so that its in russian.
thanks in advance

[acctBill]

Here's a link that should show you how solve the problem.


http://www.auburn.edu/~mitrege/russian/cyrillic-setup/cyrillic.html

or

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/177561

Depending on how old the laptop is make sure it will run on the Russian electrical system 230 Volts.

Edit: Make sure to add Skype to it before giving it to her and show her how to use it.  Webcams for laptops are quite cheap.  Make sure not to get the cheapest one buy one of the webcams priced in the midrange.   

[Faux Pas]

Can't help you there nitrous. I don't fool around with PC's enough to know, I'm a machead. But, it is a pretty sure bet your voltage is fine if it's running XP. Just get you an international adapter at Radioshack. Probably about 10 bucks

[Shadow]

Make sure you will give her the laptop personally.
Sending it to someone you never met can open a lot of problems.

[BC]

She can probably pick up an XP full RU version very easily for a few bucks at the guy that sells cd's and dvd's down the street.

But yeah, as Shadow says, would be best to give it to her in person.  The postage won't be that cheap and who knows who will actually receive it.  

In dollars and sense, if it just disappears or never makes it to it's destination be ready to write it off.  If so, you may find yourself buying a new one for the next gal you do meet which will cost considerably more.

Don't know how extensive your communications have been and whether it's worth the risk.

In any case, be very sure to delete and wipe the entire hard disk drive, then reinstall the operating system.  Bought a small used laptop at a before and was amazed at the amount of sensitive information that was either left on the drive or easily recoverable using standard undelete/unformat tools.

[kbluck]

While it is possible to "enable languages" in XP, this only allows you to type and read documents in that language. The general user interface (menus, help bubbles, etc.) will still be in English or whatever the original installed language was.

The only way to get a fully "Russified" version of XP (Where instead of a "Start" button it has a "Пуск" button, for example) is to install the Russian version of XP in the first place. This is an entirely different retail product and is not included on the source disk you already have. This means buying a new copy of Windows, if you want to be strictly legal. Of course, you're not likely to find a Russian version of Windows down at the local Wal-Mart, so either order by mail order the correct version, or just send the computer over and have her install her own copy of Windows (or find somebody who can do that for her); these are pretty much your options here if full Russian Windows is a requirement.

Also, I've never seen a computer power supply that didn't accept 230v/50Hz power input. Check the fine print on the back to be sure. But the existing North American cord will need a prong adapter. In this case it would probably be easiest instead to not bother sending the cord at all and have her to replace it with a local purchase that has the correct prongs; these are widely available and not expensive.

-- Kevin

[Vaughn]

Though we're not talking about a lot of money - this was a great deal I found on eBay..

Two converter plugs, shipped to me in the States for free (from Hong Kong, 10 days) for 99 cents...

Note - these do NOT convert voltage / only use with electronics set up for both 110/220 V

They worked fine with phone & camera chargers - and saved me a trip to the store.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270564958826&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[ECOCKS]

I'd really suggest just just locally purchasing her an ASUS netbook, headset and cam  and installingthe English-Ukrainian-Russian character set. I would still have them put the English version of Windows on it, it will help in her acquisition of English. She can put Skype on it and you comm problems are largely solved assuming she's got access to the Internet. You'll have far fewer headaches in the long-run.

Good luck.

[OlgaH]

The only way to get a fully "Russified" version of XP (Where instead of a "Start" button it has a "Пуск" button, for example) is to install the Russian version of XP in the first place.

Honestly I would not recommend to the OP to "Russify" his laptop fully, having an English version would force her to learn the language faster    

[Blues Fairy]

i was wondering how you change the language to russian and english and back again.

Open Regional and Language Options in Control Panel.
Add the Russian fonts - KOI, ISO, WIN etc - you say you already have them but still double check.
On the Languages tab, under Text services and input languages, click Details.
Click on Key Settings button.
Choose the Russian keyboard layout and assign a key combination to switch between input languages.  

Unless your girl can blind type, you'll also have to glue Cyrillic characters onto the keys.  Or, choose the Latin keyboard layout (АСДФ = ASDF).  

[GQBlues]

Open Regional and Language Options in Control Panel.
Add the Russian fonts - KOI, ISO, WIN etc - you say you already have them but still double check.
On the Languages tab, under Text services and input languages, click Details.
Click on Key Settings button.
Choose the Russian keyboard layout and assign a key combination to switch between input languages.  

Unless your girl can blind type, you'll also have to glue Cyrillic characters onto the keys.  Or, choose the Latin keyboard layout (АСДФ = ASDF).  

As always, perfectly rendered....

The only thing I would like to ask the OP now is, wouldn't it be prudent to maybe invest in her learning your language now than having to go through this exercise with her? After all, even if she's able to navigate your laptop because of the language switch, she would still need to sit in front of that webcam and speak to you...

Just a thought...

[ConnerVT]

The only way to get a fully "Russified" version of XP (Where instead of a "Start" button it has a "Пуск" button, for example) is to install the Russian version of XP in the first place.

Wrong.

With Win XP Pro installed, you can install the MUI (Multi-language User Interface) package for a number of languages, with Russian being one of those available.  Menus, windows, information boxes, balloons, etc. will all come up in Russian.  the only things that won't be in Russian (or have Unicode displayed properly) are non-Microsoft applications that don't handle foreign languages properly.  (Fortunately, most major/popular application programs do.)

I have the exact setup installed on this computer.  Even better, my account is in English, and my wife's is in Russian.

Anyone who is running XP Pro who wants to do this, I can direct you to the files you need for XP and Office.

[Faux Pas]

I still can't add much help on the PC. I fool with them as little as possible. I might suggest you do something as I did and it really, I mean REALLY made a difference a couple of years down the road. I took a laptop on my 2nd or 3rd trip. It was/is a Mac so cyrillic was already installed and Russian language and font was just a few clicks and wah-lah. Completely Russified except the keyboard which my wife found some stickers and put them on and solved that problem. I'm not suggesting a Mac just this:

When she came to the States she wanted to bring this laptop. I insisted that she leave it (trust me this was a number of conversations, she like it and it is a demm good machine) and teach her mother how to turn it on and Skype. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means that the laptop is still in Russia and she can Skype with Mother every morning. It has worked out so well, Mother is taking some computer classes. (she still can't handle email and pics yet)  

[ECOCKS]

I still can't add much help on the PC. I fool with them as little as possible. I might suggest you do something as I did and it really, I mean REALLY made a difference a couple of years down the road. I took a laptop on my 2nd or 3rd trip. It was/is a Mac so Cyrillic was already installed and Russian language and font was just a few clicks and wah-lah. Completely Russified except the keyboard which my wife found some stickers and put them on and solved that problem. I'm not suggesting a Mac just this:

When she came to the States she wanted to bring this laptop. I insisted that she leave it (trust me this was a number of conversations, she like it and it is a damn good machine) and teach her mother how to turn it on and Skype. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means that the laptop is still in Russia and she can Skype with Mother every morning. It has worked out so well, Mother is taking some computer classes. (she still can't handle email and pics yet)  

+2

My MIL and son both have trickle-down recycled PC's which were setup properly and used frequently with Skype then passed on to the next family member. Son has my old laptop and MIL inherited my wife's netbook, both with built-in webcam. Wife got a newer, larger netbook so they are all happy and everyone talks more with everyone. It was a breakthrough day when babushka (in Kremenchuk) understood that she could call her grandson (in Kyiv) and save money on that call as well.

[Tim22]

Give her the laptop personally. Also there is a language setting in Windows XP that allows you to change to virtually any language you want. However if the laptop was sold in the USA or the UK it will have English keys. You'll have to get Cyrillic stickers too.

What I suggest is buy cyrillic stickers to go with it and maybe buy a Windows XP Russian CD. Get this installed and then it'll solve all the problems. Your girl will have Windows in Russian and Cyrillic letters on the keys

[SANDRO43]

About foreign keyboards.

Last year I had a problem with a laptop I received featuring a US rather than Italian keyboard, which I solved by buying - for about €25, IIRC - a Trust keyboard+mouse Wireless Deskset (http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=16593) that plugs into the USB port. No further hassles, except for having to change batteries now and then .

Just FWIW, I don't know if it's available in the FSU, too .

[Olga_Mouse]

Last year I had a problem with a laptop I received featuring a US rather than Italian keyboard,

What? 
Is it a new a-murrican trend - to send laptops to middle aged Italian men, rather than to young FSU women?   ???

[SANDRO43]

What?  Is it a new a-murrican trend - to send laptops to middle aged Italian men, rather than to young FSU women?   ???

I'm NOT going to disclose whom I got that laptop from and why, Nosey Mousey .

And I'm NOT middle-aged, I'm 67.5 y.o. but actually look 33.75 .

[Shadow]

What? 
Is it a new a-murrican trend - to send laptops to middle aged Italian men, rather than to young FSU women?   ???

Yes, currently Western men require RW to send them a laptop before visiting the woman, to ensure that she is real. 

[SANDRO43]

Yes, currently Western men require RW to send them a laptop before visiting the woman, to ensure that she is real. 

...and that she's not GREEDY .

[ML]

But in Sandro's case, it seems he got a woman from USA to send him the computer.

If so, we in USA have a real looming problem on our hands!

Perhaps the USA gals are really desirable after all, and these strange foreigners from Italy and other less developed countries are going to start depleting the stock of USA women.  Then we would realize what  the FSU guys have been experiencing!!

Just when I thought that Global Warming and the trade deficit was all we had to worry about.

[SANDRO43]

Perhaps the USA gals are really desirable after all, and these strange foreigners from Italy and other less developed countries are going to start depleting the stock of USA women.

Plump women are more sought after in Arab countries, the US should start a new, more imaginative trade program, Oil for Boob - that might benefit your GNP (Gross National Plumpness) index substantially .

[Chillidog]

I still can't add much help on the PC. I fool with them as little as possible. I might suggest you do something as I did and it really, I mean REALLY made a difference a couple of years down the road. I took a laptop on my 2nd or 3rd trip. It was/is a Mac so cyrillic was already installed and Russian language and font was just a few clicks and wah-lah. Completely Russified except the keyboard which my wife found some stickers and put them on and solved that problem. I'm not suggesting a Mac just this:

When she came to the States she wanted to bring this laptop. I insisted that she leave it (trust me this was a number of conversations, she like it and it is a demm good machine) and teach her mother how to turn it on and Skype. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means that the laptop is still in Russia and she can Skype with Mother every morning. It has worked out so well, Mother is taking some computer classes. (she still can't handle email and pics yet)  

for about the past year, off and on I have had a similiar conversation with my Fiance, for the same reason that once she arrives in America she and her mother will not only be able to talk but also be able to see each other, and she can walk around and show her mother her new home. But with our conversation it involves buying a new PC/laptop since my Fiance's is just about toast, and still as of now I am fighting a losing battle (all due to the fact she does not want to spend "my money" to buy a computer which her mother does not know how to use).

But I am as stubborn as a Russian (I too have slavic blood in me) so I have not conceided defeat yet

[Faux Pas]

for about the past year, off and on I have had a similiar conversation with my Fiance, for the same reason that once she arrives in America she and her mother will not only be able to talk but also be able to see each other, and she can walk around and show her mother her new home. But with our conversation it involves buying a new PC/laptop since my Fiance's is just about toast, and still as of now I am fighting a losing battle (all due to the fact she does not want to spend "my money" to buy a computer which her mother does not know how to use).

But I am as stubborn as a Russian (I too have slavic blood in me) so I have not conceided defeat yet

Chili if it's not worth rebuilding and/or upgrading just buy another one. I notice some laptops at Wal-mart the other day for 3-400 bucks.

My wife didn't want to leave hers either. It was a great machine and even me telling her we'd get her new one didn't help. I finally had to insist on it (kindly of course) and it did not take her long once she was stateside to understand why. I stole the idea from someone here at RWD but man, I can't tell you how much has been saved in phone calls and Skyping daily with her mother is priceless

[Chillidog]

that is what I will probably do, just "politely go and buy her a new one" but I won't be able to do it at Wal-Mart. It will have to be a Computer/Electronics store in Russia (Kaluga), and just leave it at the apartment for her mother to use.

Will have to do it when I arrive (Russia) sometime in October when all 3 of us will come to the States. (won't be back in the States myself until then)