Problems displaying Asian Characters, Unicode

Question

I have a problem with displaying asian characters. In a number of programs instead of showing the characters, it just shows the squares for missing character. The programs so far that I have seen this problem in are iTunes, Windows Explorer, Notepad, and Windows Media Player. When I copy those squares into Google Chrome, they show themselves as the proper characters. I recently installed Windows 7 (some time last week) and could see all the asian characters fine. The problem started this morning after I restarted my computer (before I restarted the computer I could see all the characters). Most solutions I have looked for online state to change the system locale to japanese. However, the characters I want to view are not all japanese. Some are korean and some are chinese. Is there a way to set it to be able to view all three types of characters?

Answer 1

Hi crazymanjinn,     

a. Which edition of windows 7 are you using?

b. Any recent changes made on your computer, like installing or upgrading any softwares/hardwares?

You may try the below steps and check if this resolves your issue.

1. Open Region and Language by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Clock, Language, and Region, and then clicking Region and Language.

2. Click the Keyboards and Languages tab.

3. Under Display language, click Install/uninstall languages, and then follow the steps.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

For more information visit the below links:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Install-or-change-a-display-language

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Using-special-characters-Character-Map-frequently-asked-questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/language-packs

If your issue still persists then, you may try performing system restore on your computer.

System restore will take your computer to pervious state when it was not facing such problem, this can be done by selecting the proper restore point.  

To restore the operating system to an earlier point in time, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type system restore in the Start Search box, and then click System Restore in the Programs list.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.

2. In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
3. In the list of restore points, click a restore point that was created before you began to experience the issue, and then click Next.
4. Click Finish.

For more information visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/

Hope this information is helpful.

Umesh P - Microsoft Support

Answer 2

I've been using notepad in unicode for text files containing foreign language on this version of windows successfully for about a year. Recently, I discovered that all the foreign language text now only displays as empty rectangles. I can't figure out what might have been changed. My problem is very similar to crazymanjinn's, I can copy out the rectangles into other applications and they will display fine.

I read online that perhaps notepad is trying to 'guess' the encoding: http://www.datamystic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=586. I have recently begun to use a secondary foreign language in my txt files, could this be the problem? and how would i fix it?

Answer 3

Hello,

As per the explanation given by Umesh P  the problem should be resolved. If it still persists you can apply the proper Japanese font to Japanese data and Korean font to Korean data.

In some applications due to the security the default system's font does not get apply.

So you need to apply the font manually. If the fonts does not support those characters then these characters will be displayed as Square boxes. In that case please mention the font name.

Sitaram C-DAC

Answer 4

Hi crazymanjinn,     

a. Which edition of windows 7 are you using?

b. Any recent changes made on your computer, like installing or upgrading any softwares/hardwares?

You may try the below steps and check if this resolves your issue.

1. Open Region and Language by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Clock, Language, and Region, and then clicking Region and Language.

2. Click the Keyboards and Languages tab.

3. Under Display language, click Install/uninstall languages, and then follow the steps.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

For more information visit the below links:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Install-or-change-a-display-language

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Using-special-characters-Character-Map-frequently-asked-questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/language-packs

If your issue still persists then, you may try performing system restore on your computer.

System restore will take your computer to pervious state when it was not facing such problem, this can be done by selecting the proper restore point.  

To restore the operating system to an earlier point in time, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type system restore in the Start Search box, and then click System Restore in the Programs list.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.

2. In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
3. In the list of restore points, click a restore point that was created before you began to experience the issue, and then click Next.
4. Click Finish.

For more information visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/

Hope this information is helpful.

Umesh P - Microsoft Support

---

R. C. White, CPA Microsoft Windows MVP

Answer 5

Hi,

Apply the proper font in those applications in which square boxes are appearing. Google chrome automatically applies the default font present in the system.

Regards,

Sitaram