What do I need to install to 'read' hieroglyphs on my PC?

[Paranoia]

Hi all.

I'm learning Chinese for two months now and I would like to make things easier for me by browsing Chinese sitesл

However, there is one problem. My browser (IExplorer) doesn't seem able to show me Chinese characters. That means that they are showed as simple squares which is not helping me much (:

I know it's something simple, but I'd be very grateful if someone can help me (:

All the best, Alexander.

[Hongbao]

You just need to find your language preferences under the control panel and, under the tab Langauges, tick the box to install files for East Asian langauges.

[Quest]

I don't think Windows XP had any hieroglyphic fonts.... they are better found in pyramids

[atitarev]

I don't think Windows XP had any hieroglyphic fonts.... they are better found in pyramids

In some languages Chinese and Japanese characters continue to be called "hieroglyphs". Well, apart from meaning illegible they mean picture symbols. In Russian "hieroglyph" (иероглиф) is a standard term for hanzi/kanji. We simply don't have another term for it, "symbols" perhaps. I taught a Chinese person Russian and she was surprised to hear the word like you are but there's nothing offensive or derogatory in it.

[johnd]

Do what Hongbao says. You will need your Windows CD to complete the installation.

[johnmck]

You will need your Windows CD to complete the installation.

I didn't. Well to be honest I did. On my works PC I needed the CD to to the installatoin while on my home PC I didn't. I guess when the manufacture installs windows on your PC he can decide whether or not to do a minimum installation of the OS.

[Paranoia]

Sincere thanks to everyone who got involed in the thread (:

I don't have a Windows CD at the moment but I'll find one asap because I'm eager to help myself via internet (:

About the 'hieroglyphs'.

As atitarev explained, in some languages the term hieroglyphs is still officially used. Furthermore, it's the only word in use for Chinese characters. I'm from Bulgaria and in the late 19th century/eary 20th century the Bulgarian language was heavily flooded with Russian words, and the name of Zhongguo is Kitai (Китай), which is the Russian name for China, so that it's not big surprise that I recognize hanzi as hieroglyphs (:

I don't know how the Chinese characters are named in other languages and it's a big surprise that they are not known as 'hieroglyphs' all over the world (:

Best wishes to all.

[imron]

In English, they are usually known as "chinese characters", or even just "characters".

[phunkyphred]

yeah, if there's someway or where to download the east asian language packet without the windows XP disc that'd be wonderful.

I am in the military and i've moved quite a bit. I have no ideas where the devil my XP disc is.

[flameproof]

I have no ideas where the devil my XP disc is.

I don't suggest to D/L a complete CD from places like Isohunt.com , that would be against most peoples morals.

Actually I did D/L a complete Xp CD, since I also temporarily misplaced a original CD. You can also do a full install, but you will need YOUR original code. Code you find on the web will not work.

BTW, I run Linux Ubuntu on one PC. It's free and runs very well. And displays and writes Chinese too.

>About the 'hieroglyphs'.

He does not call Chinese characters 'hieroglyphs'. He calls what you see on your screen with no proper decoding 'hieroglyphs'.