Going Crazy ? two languages in Explorer (X200s)

Hi everyone,
I'm losing my mind. I received my X200s, but a huge fly in the ointment is that my OS is german, and I can't seem to figure out how I change the damn OS to danish.
The keyboard set up is danish (as is the physical keyboard), but no matter how and what I do, I cannot get it to display much in danish. It stays german.
Even when right-clicking on the desktop it goes:

Seriously, I'm about to return this, as it seems way to close to all the motherboard problems I had with my MBP where two languages popped up no matter what I did.
So, can anyone help me before I toss this to the curb and give up?

 

What does it have to do with a motherboard? And i assume you've attempted to changed the language settings in windows...? Why not just reinstall windows and set the language correctly when you do that?

 

It reminds me of dying motherboards because it was the first symptom of many dieing motherboards on MBP.

I can't reinstall anything, because it's an X200s which came with no recovery disks and I haven't even been able to make recovery disks yet. It's quite hard doing it in german, when I don't really speak german.

The computer, when it arrived, and I turned it on, it allowed me - with german "boxes" to select "dänisch" and so on, which I did. But I can only get the log-in screen to change into danish or english (depending what I choose), but the moment I'm in, almost everything is in german for god knows what reason.

WHen I go into "systemsteuerung">Zeit, Sprache und Region>Anziegesprache installieren oder deinstallieren", it says it cannot find any other language.
When I go into "systemsteuerung">Zeit, Sprache und Region>Anziegesprache ändern" I can change everything to Dänemark and Dänisch, but all it does is change the log-in screen.

If I go into "systemsteuerung">Zeit, Sprache und Region>Region und sprachoptionen", nothing changes. Well, I can change the keyboard layout, but ...

It seems some language files are missing, but how on earth wouold I get a hold of them?

 

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/35a1b021-d96c-49a5-8d8f-5e9d64ab5ecc1033.mspx

I meant reinstalling with the ThinkVantage button preboot? But if it is for some reason missing files then you need to google that. Also you basically navigate via icons.

 

I believe the only time you can change the Windows language is at install time. However you can reinstall your system even without recovery disks. The only reason you make the recovery disks is to save you from a total hdd crash. Because its all there on your harddisk in a separate partition.

So what you do is while booting hold down the Thinkvantage button -- and you enter Rescue and Recovery (it takes some time to load.)

You want to find the option to reset to factory settings. This will restore the disk to the identical status it had when shipped to you, so gives you (I think) a new chance to choose Vista language.

If after doing the factory reset you still can't get it out of german next thing is to call lenovo support and ask them to send you Danish recovery disks. In cases such as this they should wave the normal charges for this service.

 

After holding down the blue thinkvantage button it says press f1 to setup. So I do that, I come into something that looks like a dos-prompt, so how do I get RNR to boot from there?

Sheesh! I never expected to spend this many hours to get a danish os

 

You can't change the OS language in the control panel. For that you need the MUI language packs. You can take a look at the following link:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/...e-packs-for-x86-and-x64-direct-download-link/

You need the Danish MUI language pack.

This link will help you install them on non-Ultimate Vista:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/...l-for-business-home-premium-and-basic-edition

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you so much, Ed!

I will try to see if I can get it to work. I have been running around in rings going nowhere fast.

 

Thanks, I wasn't aware that you could install MUI on editions other than Ultimate. Still RDP (with concurrent sessions) is a great reason to go for Ultimate.

 

If Thinkvantage button doesnt work try f11. This is from rnr user guide:

When starting your computer normally:
1. Shut down your computer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Repeatedly press and release the F11 key. After a short delay, the Rescue and Recovery workspace is displayed.

When starting your computer using rescue media:
1. Insert the Rescue and Recovery CD that you created into your CD or DVD
drive, or if your rescue medium is an external USB hard disk drive, attach the
drive now.
2. Shut down your computer.
3. Restart your computer. After a short delay, the Rescue and Recovery workspace
is displayed.
Note: If the rescue media fails to start, the rescue device (CD drive, DVD drive, or
USB device) might not be set correctly in your BIOS startup sequence. Refer to the
documentation that came with your computer for information about gaining access
to the BIOS configuration.

 

I give up. Lenovo asked me to call IBM, IBM says they will only send me german recovery disks, because "danish is not even an option for that model" all the while they admit that they know nothing about Vista and MS says that I will have to buy the retail disks. The company I bought it from aren't helping, so there.

I guess I will contact IT support at my work and have them swipe the crappola and install one of their licenses on the damn thing.

 

ok, if your retailer sold you a german only thinkpad (according to lenovo) in Denmark I would just return it to them and order another model that comes with Danish Vista.

Consumer laws in Denmark I am sure would not allow them to get away with anything else.

Btw what is the type-model XXXX-XXX number on the underside of your Thinkpad (NOT the S/N serial number) It is worth checking on the web that Lenovo's statement is correct that that model doesnt come with a Danish version.

My internet provider's link to the Lenovo US site is down at the moment so hopefully somebody else in the forum can help you as new to Lenovo/IBM to find the info for your type-model.

 

Thank you everyone. You really have been helpful, even if I'm an idjit at these things.

I contacted the company who supplied the machine and explained my troubles, and how I don't know what to do. He has now asked me (via mail) which I will be needing, XP or Business. I think he'll help me with this one.

I have been on edge trying to make this work, being very close to simply toss everything out (seriously!).
However, it might actually work out. I guess, no matter which way (via work or the place I bought it) I will wipe the HDD clean, install Vista Business, and then install the slew of drivers and whatnot from lenovo's site. And after that I'll clone that to a - what? 8GB thumbdrive, dvd-drive, or external hdd.

I went out and bought a DVD'drive today because I figured that no matter what I'd have to install a "clean" vista from some sort of disk, and the less workarounds, the better the chance of me putting that great computer to use.

P.S. COming home from the shop where I bought the DVD-drive, I opened the lid of this MBP (I'm typing on), and whattaya know – the screen didn't work. I had to hold down the power button, remove the almost nonfunctioning battery and hold down the powerbutton before it would even boot. Excellent timing!

I hope I will have a great, clean and DANISH X200s "mittwoch" (wednesday, lol) next week. Oh, the screen is gorgeous. I was so nervous it would be too small, but it seems alright to me, and it so light I can't believe it – even with the 9-cell.

Thanks again,

Snickety

 

Hereis the IBM EMEA Announcement Letter for X200s. As far as I can see all models are available in Danish versions.

If you ordered your X200s from a German company on the web such as this you have a different problem. Notice that the order number NS45KGE ends with GE that means you have in such a case ordered a German version where this company for an additional €65 has changed the keyboard to a Danish keyboard for you but its still a German version X200s with German Vista only.

But looking at the announcement letter type-model 7469-5KG is available in a Danish version which means Danish recovery disks do exist.

So if this is your problem and you bought your thinkpad in Germany I would next try calling German Lenovo support (might also be run by IBM) explain your mistake and ask if they could find Danish or at least English recovery disks for you. In this case I think you should expect to pay the approx €50 charge.

If they refuse I would try Lenovo Germany sales complaining about their retailer's way of selling Lenovo. I have seen instances here in the forums where Lenovo sales reps have handed out recovery discs (in this case for Vista 64 instead of Vista 32) with the argument the buyer has been fooled by their marketing practices.

As a last resort you might also try Mark Hopkins. He reads this forum but it's easiest to pm him directly over in the Lenovo forums where he is Mark_Lenovo.