How to change your default system locale in Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP

1. Introduction

The Torah CD-Rom Library has been designed to run on a wide variety of Windows platforms. Among other things, we have designed the software to run on non-Hebrew versions of Windows. However there are still some small issues that do not display correctly on non-Hebrew Windows, including the Status Bar text and the Tool Tips. Although you can fully use & enjoy the program without these things, we have received complaints from some of our customers regarding the aesthetic aspect of this matter.

While we are already working on a new version which we hope will solve these issues, in the meantime we have prepared this document which will explain to you how to solve this problem. Once again we repeat - these steps are not necessary to fully use and enjoy the program, but if you wish to have the full visual experience of using the Torah CD-Rom Library, then please follow the procedure described below.

We wish to point out that changing the default system locale should have no adverse affect whatsoever on your use of the computer and your other software, provided you are using the English version of Windows, and do not use other foreign languages. If you are using a different language version or you are using software written for some language other then English or Hebrew, then you may still try this procedure, and if you have any trouble, you can always return the default system language to it's previous setting.

This procedure is fully reversible, and we have tested it fully on many systems, without finding any problems. It does not change your date or time formats. All it does is to tell Windows to use the Hebrew Code Page (which includes English) to display Non-Unicode applications. All of your English software should continue to function without any problems.

v      In the unlikely event that you do have some trouble (which you can solve by restoring the previous default system locale), please let us know, so that we can warn other users with similar installations.

2. Instructions for Windows XP

1.      Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start button, and then on Control Panel.

2.      Double click on Regional and Language Options. The Regional and Language Options dialog box will open.

3.      Select the Advanced tab.

4.      In the Language for non-Unicode programs drop-down list box select Hebrew.

5.      Click to set the check mark in default user account settings.

6.      Click on OK. Proceed according to the instructions given by windows. Windows may ask you for your Windows Installation CD. After Windows is done configuring the files, you will be asked to restart the computer; click on Yes to restart the computer.

3. Instructions for Windows 2000

1.      Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start button, then on Settings and then on Control Panel.

2.      Double click on Regional Options. The Regional Options dialog box will open.

3.      Click on the Set Default.button. The Select System Locale dialog box will open.

4.      In the drop-down list box select Hebrew.

5.      Click on OK. You will be returned to the Regional Options dialog box.

6.      Click on OK. Proceed according to the instructions given by windows. Windows may ask you for your Windows Installation CD. After Windows is done configuring the files, you will be asked to restart the computer; click on Yes to restart the computer.