Language defaulting to French

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For no apparent reason my outbound emails have started to show basic English words like “three” as being spelled wrong with the suggestion that it be replaced with “thréne”. Checking the language I found that it had defaulted to French so I changed it to English UK clicked Apply then OK but it automatically defaults again to French. How can I rectify this error please. Using OE with XP 2003 SP3. Regards Dave.

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Select Start | Control Panel (in Windows)
If you use category view, click Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, then click Regional and Language Options.
If you use classic view, you can open Regional and Language Options directly.
Make sure that English (UK) is specified in the Regional Options tab.
Then activate the Languages tab, and click Details…
Make sure that English (UK) is the default input language.

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Select Start | Control Panel (in Windows)
If you use category view, click Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, then click Regional and Language Options.
If you use classic view, you can open Regional and Language Options directly.
Make sure that English (UK) is specified in the Regional Options tab.
Then activate the Languages tab, and click Details…
Make sure that English (UK) is the default input language.

Thanks Hans….did as you directed but the language still defaults to French….. Baffled. Dave.

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Do you have problems with spell checking in Microsoft Word?

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Do you have problems with spell checking in Microsoft Word?

Thanks for the response Hans…. yes the spellchecker seems to be working fine in Word as the screen shot shows. Regards Dave.

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This Google Search may hold some clues.

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This Google Search may hold some clues.

Thanks Rebel BUT the link you pointed me to has caused more problems than I had before. I went to OE Spellchecker & downloaded the file which is said will solve the problem but now when I type an email and try to send it without hitting the Spelling tab the computer makes a sound like it is searching for the Microsoft 2000 disc, pops the error message on the screen [see below] and refuses to send it. If I insert the said CD it proceeds to spell check then send the email if no spelling mistakes are found. What puzzles me is why this crazy fault has suddenly occurred seeing I do not have the 2007 package which IS said to trigger this fault. Any further suggestions would be appreciated or else I will have (inconveniently) to type messages in a Word doc which does perform a spell check as I type then copy it into a blank email. [2 minutes later] …. I have just tried even that method and lo & behold, when I click the “Send” tab (without hitting the “Spelling” tab) a different message pops up saying; “The spell check was interrupted but do I still want to send it anyway?” Just about peeved off with this fault which developed out of the blue for no apparent reason. Regards Dave.

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I think it’s time to let a professional investigate your computer, I don’t think we’ll be able to solve this problem from a distance.

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I think it’s time to let a professional investigate your computer, I don’t think we’ll be able to solve this problem from a distance.

Thanks anyway Hans…. it was worth a try…… how fickle these things are….. develop faults for no apparent reason. Regards Dave.

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Thanks anyway Hans…. it was worth a try…… how fickle these things are….. develop faults for no apparent reason. Regards Dave.

There is a known problem that occurs when Office 2007 is installed. The spell checking files are not compatible with OE. OE is old and unsupported except for security changes. I recommend you look at Mail – Windows Live. It is the OE follow on product. The user interface is a little different than OE but mostly newer looking. It is a much better product than OE faster & more stable. Much less prone to the database issues that always seemed to plague OE.

Joe

--Joe

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There is a known problem that occurs when Office 2007 is installed. The spell checking files are not compatible with OE. OE is old and unsupported except for security changes. I recommend you look at Mail – Windows Live. It is the OE follow on product. The user interface is a little different than OE but mostly newer looking. It is a much better product than OE faster & more stable. Much less prone to the database issues that always seemed to plague OE.

Joe

Than you Joe. I had read about this anomaly with Office 2007 but can’t ever remember updating from 2003 and as the
attachment shows, I must be running 2003 so what has precipitated this fault I haven’t a clue. Will look at the link you suggested when I get back from an appointment but am replying right away just to say thanks for your reply which seems to offer some hope after what Hans suggested about getting an expert to investigate the problem. A last resort as I’ll do anything to avoid expense. Kind regards Dave.

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I had read about this anomaly with Office 2007 but can’t ever remember updating from 2003 and as the
attachment shows, I must be running 2003 so what has precipitated this fault I haven’t a clue. Will look at the link you suggested when I get back from an appointment but am replying right away just to say thanks for your reply which seems to offer some hope after what Hans suggested about getting an expert to investigate the problem.

Well, I don’t know why it happened if you are running is Office 2003. Anyway, WLM should import all your email accounts and data when you install it. In my experience it was easy and painless.

Joe

--Joe

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Well, I don’t know why it happened if you are running is Office 2003. Anyway, WLM should import all your email accounts and data when you install it. In my experience it was easy and painless.

Joe

I’ll add to the mystery a little. I wasn’t gonna jump in here, but since there seems to be some sort of issue with Word, OE and the French dictionary, I guess my situation is relevant. I’m running XP SP2, not fully patched and Office XP for students and teachers (Office 2002). For about a year now, I occasionally get a popup in Word telling me that the French Language Dictionary is not installed and asks if I want to install it. It seems to be related to holding down the shift key for an extended period (more than a couple seconds) and is intermittent. I’ve been ignoring it, but it seems it might be related to this situation as well and indicate that the “feature” goes back as far as Office 2002.

I’m just wondering now if it could be related to an update or patch for either Windows or Office ??

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I’ll add to the mystery a little. I wasn’t gonna jump in here, but since there seems to be some sort of issue with Word, OE and the French dictionary, I guess my situation is relevant. I’m running XP SP2, not fully patched and Office XP for students and teachers (Office 2002). For about a year now, I occasionally get a popup in Word telling me that the French Language Dictionary is not installed and asks if I want to install it. It seems to be related to holding down the shift key for an extended period (more than a couple seconds) and is intermittent. I’ve been ignoring it, but it seems it might be related to this situation as well and indicate that the “feature” goes back as far as Office 2002.

I’m just wondering now if it could be related to an update or patch for either Windows or Office ??

It certainly is possible. The only problem I’ve seen in searching around is when Office 2007 is installed and the prior Office version is uninstalled as part of the process. A different bug seems likely.

Joe

--Joe

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It certainly is possible. The only problem I’ve seen in searching around is when Office 2007 is installed and the prior Office version is uninstalled as part of the process. A different bug seems likely.

Joe

Hi again….. putting all those comments into the pot and bringing it to the boil leaves me totally bewildered as all the signs seem to point to 2007 as being the culprit but as I indicated I am still using 2003 so where the connection is I can’t understand. I have noticed just now that the e-mail “Spelling” tab is grayed out so obviously does not activate when clicked and when I click the “Send” tab, the computer makes a sound indicating it is looking for a disc. Looks like I will have to revert to Hotmail or some other app. Thanks anyway. Dave.

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Hi again….. putting all those comments into the pot and bringing it to the boil leaves me totally bewildered as all the signs seem to point to 2007 as being the culprit but as I indicated I am still using 2003 so where the connection is I can’t understand. I have noticed just now that the e-mail “Spelling” tab is grayed out so obviously does not activate when clicked and when I click the “Send” tab, the computer makes a sound indicating it is looking for a disc. Looks like I will have to revert to Hotmail or some other app. Thanks anyway. Dave.

Why not try Windows Live Mail as I suggested previously?

Joe

--Joe

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As far as I can tell from your screenshot, the insertion point is not in the body of the e-mail. That would explain why the spell check button is grayed out.

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As far as I can tell from your screenshot, the insertion point is not in the body of the e-mail. That would explain why the spell check button is grayed out.

Forgive me if I’m wrong Hans, am I right in supposing by “Insertion Point” you mean there is no name in the “To” field, nothing in the “Subject” field, and no text in the body of the email! Well I have just type something into those fields and the “Spelling” tab is still grayed out????? Sorry if I am mistaken in my assumption. Regards Dave.

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No, that is not what I meant. In your previous reply, the entire formatting toolbar was grayed out, which made me suspect that the message area wasn’t “active” at the time.
In your latest screenshot, the formatting toolbar is enabled, while the spell check button is still grayed out.

I don’t think we can do anything for you from a distance, somebody will have to look at it directly.

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No, that is not what I meant. In your previous reply, the entire formatting toolbar was grayed out, which made me suspect that the message area wasn’t “active” at the time.
In your latest screenshot, the formatting toolbar is enabled, while the spell check button is still grayed out.

I don’t think we can do anything for you from a distance, somebody will have to look at it directly.

As ever, thanks a lot guys. As I indicated earlier in the thread, I have a Hotmail account so maybe I will save myself the hassle & use that. Still mystified at the whole issue seeing I am still using Office 2003 not having upgraded to the 2007 version. Thank you Dave.

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As ever, thanks a lot guys. As I indicated earlier in the thread, I have a Hotmail account so maybe I will save myself the hassle & use that. Still mystified at the whole issue seeing I am still using Office 2003 not having upgraded to the 2007 version. Thank you Dave.

Is there some reason not to try Windows Live Mail? It is good, free mail client that is the replacement for OE.

Joe

--Joe

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As far as I can tell from your screenshot, the insertion point is not in the body of the e-mail. That would explain why the spell check button is grayed out.

I don’t think that’s it Hans. I’m running IE6, and it doesn’t seem to matter if there is an insertion point in the message or not.

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Dave,

The insertion point is where the blinking cursor indicates that the next typed text or image will be “inserted”.

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Dave,
Back in post three you posted a image showing your Regional Settings, but did NOT show the Language settings.
Would you mind post a image of those settings?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Dave,
Back in post three you posted a image showing your Regional Settings, but did NOT show the Language settings.
Would you mind post a image of those settings?

First Joe…. yes I have an account with WLM and have tried it out a few times but seeing most of my contacts have the OE address I thought I would try to identify the problem before having to inform them all of the change if I plump for WLM.
Dave…. I have navigated to the Language settings frame and attach two screen shots hoping they show something that will be of help in assessing the problem. Thanks Immensely Dave.

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First Joe…. yes I have an account with WLM and have tried it out a few times but seeing most of my contacts have the OE address I thought I would try to identify the problem before having to inform them all of the change if I plump for WLM.

You should not have to change email accounts to use WLM. You should be able to use your current account.

Joe

--Joe

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What is a OE address?
I did NOT know that was such.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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What is a OE address?
I did NOT know that was such.

To maybe bring this thread to a conclusion let me just add that I have just tried WLM and to my amazement I find that -as was the case when Microsoft replaced Photo Editor with Photo Manager and discarded some handy elements- this replacement for OE will (it seems) only let one enter about 10 names in the Bcc field whereas with OE, it would accept many, many more. I have not tried it yet but if the same limited number is entered in the “Cc” that means the maximum number of recipients is about 20 whereas OE seemed to allow many more. No doubt I will discover the maximum number of names that can be entered in due cause. [[unless I am missing something which is a distinct possibility]]

To respond to Dave’s comment; what I meant was, resorting to WLM means transferring my email address from say : –
[xxxxxxxxx@ntlworld.com] to [ xxxxxxxxx@live.com] which would mean I would have to inform everyone in my address book of the change. However, now I have discovered the limit to the number of names that can be inserted into the two fields, it means more than one email must be sent which is [yes] a small step backwards but backwards never the less.
Than Guys…… Dave.

To maybe bring this thread to a conclusion let me just add that I have just tried WLM and to my amazement I find that -as was the case when Microsoft replaced Photo Editor with Photo Manager and discarded some handy elements- this replacement for OE will only let one enter about 10 names in the Bcc field whereas with OE, it would accept many more. I have not tried it yet but if the same number is entered in the “Cc” that means the maximum number of recipients is about 20 whereas OE seemed to allow many more. No doubt I will discover the maximum number of names that can be entered in due cause.

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To maybe bring this thread to a conclusion let me just add that I have just tried WLM and to my amazement I find that -as was the case when Microsoft replaced Photo Editor with Photo Manager and discarded some handy elements- this replacement for OE will only let one enter about 10 names in the Bcc field whereas with OE, it would accept many more. I have not tried it yet but if the same number is entered in the “Cc” that means the maximum number of recipients is about 20 whereas OE seemed to allow many more. No doubt I will discover the maximum number of names that can be entered in due cause.

If this happens when you are entering the names it is a WLM limitation. OTOH, if it happens as a response when you try to send the email it is an ISP limitation.

Joe

--Joe

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If this happens when you are entering the names it is a WLM limitation. OTOH, if it happens as a response when you try to send the email it is an ISP limitation.

Joe

Hi Joe. Yep it happens after I click the “Send” tab but how it should suggest the ISP as at fault I can’t imagine as I have sent many emails using OE with up to 30 names in the “Bcc”field without any problem. Maybe someone else can experiment using WLM sending an email with numerous names in the said field and see if the same pop up message appears. Regards Dave.

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Hi Joe. Yep it happens after I click the “Send” tab but how it should suggest the ISP as at fault I can’t imagine as I have sent many emails using OE with up to 30 names in the “Bcc”field without any problem. Maybe someone else can experiment using WLM sending an email with numerous names in the said field and see if the same pop up message appears. Regards Dave.

It could be that OE just ignored that status. Are you sure that all the recipients received the message?

The only way to be sure would be to check a diagnostic log file and hope WLM logs enough information – Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance. BTW, I’d select “General”, “Email”, & “Contacts” for logging.

Joe

--Joe

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It could be that OE just ignored that status. Are you sure that all the recipients received the message?

The only way to be sure would be to check a diagnostic log file and hope WLM logs enough information – Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance. BTW, I’d select “General”, “Email”, & “Contacts” for logging.

Joe

Hi Joe…. re the OE point; I have not idea if when sending an email using OE in the past whether everyone whose name was in the “Bcc” field did receive a copy but I could try one requesting acknowledgment from each of them to confirm this fact.

Regarding the second point, SORRY but I am not aware what BTW stands for and seeing I deleted all but 10 names from the Bcc field which prevented the warning from appearing, I suppose the email transmitted OK. Regards Dave

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BTW is the abbreviation of “by the way”.

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BTW is the abbreviation of “by the way”.

Thanks Hans…. I twigged what Joe meant when he typed OTOH but that one never dawned on me as I suspected it was some acronym for a computer term. Don’t know if this has any bearing on matter in hand but would it be of an advantage to delete OE 7 and replace it with version 6? Just a thought that was suggested by a friend of mine when I notified him I was switching to WLM as a result of the defaulting to French issue? Thanks Dave.

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There is no Outlook Express 7 as far as I know, Outlook Express 6 was the last version. It was succeeded by Windows Mail (under Windows Vista), then by Windows Live Mail.

Added later: did you mean Internet Explorer (IE) instead of Outlook Express (OE)? I wouldn’t recommend reverting to Internet Explorer 6 – it’s much less secure than Internet Explorer 7 or 8.

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There is no Outlook Express 7 as far as I know, Outlook Express 6 was the last version. It was succeeded by Windows Mail (under Windows Vista), then by Windows Live Mail.

Added later: did you mean Internet Explorer (IE) instead of Outlook Express (OE)? I wouldn’t recommend reverting to Internet Explorer 6 – it’s much less secure than Internet Explorer 7 or 8.

Sorry I did not get round to responding to your last post Hans, been terribly busy with family members down with the dreaded flu bug and grandchildren to look after etc. I guess you suspected right I had IE 7 in mind not OE, easy get mixed up with all these definitions I’m afraid. After all the exchange of posts the Spelling tab is still grayed out in OE and I can not enter more than eight names in the Bcc field using windows live.com despite having written to them asking that my allowance be increased. It seems they impose this restriction on new users to avoid spamming. Regards Dave.

ps Don’t know which section to post the following thread so maybe you can move it please. I have downloaded the You Tube down loader [shown] and find it easy to use so would like a free prog to allow me to download Google videos but on searching the web I find that there are dozens to choose from so would appreciate it very much if someone can recommend a safe source from which I can download one that is as reliable as the one shown. Kind regards Dave.

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