Running an application programmed in Chinese language on Windows XP machine, may not be displayed correctly if encoding is not set properly. Many applications programmed in Chinese are encoded in GB instead of UTF-8 (one of the Unicode format). Chinese characters are encoded in two hexes in GB, e.g., 中 (D6 D0), but are encoded in three hexes in UTF-8, e.g., 中 (E4 B8 AD). Chinese applications encoded in UTF-8 can be run and displayed correctly on Windows XP, however, ones programmed in GB can’t be displayed on Windows XP correctly if encode setting is not done properly. Here is an example; HaiTong Online Stock Trade Client Application (海通网上委托) would be unreadable as shown in Figure 1 if encoding was not set properly.
Figure 1 Chinese characters shown unreadable
To display Chinese characters correctly, you need to change the Language for non-Unicode programs on Advanced tab in the Regional and Language Options from Control Panel, from English as shown in Figure 2 to Chinese (PRC) as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 2 Language set for English
Figure 3 Language set for Chinese
When you click the OK button after you select Chinese (PRC), Windows will pop a message that Chinese component needs to be installed if it has not done, or a message as shown in Figure 4 if the component has been installed. You shall select Yes or No button based on if you have had it installed.
Figure 4 Windows popup message
After you finish this step, the Windows will reboot your machine. After that, the Chinese application can be displayed normally as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 Chinese application shown normally
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