Installing Slovak keyboard Windows XP

[Explorer-8]

I have tried to follow the instructions on www.jcu.edu/language/llc/keyboard-setup-slovak.htm.

My computer should have installed a Slovak keyboard, but then the instructions called "Using the Slovak keyboard" are so complicated, it is very difficult to follow them. I have only got an EN at the bottom of my screen on the blue bar. When I go into Microsoft Word, I was able to type some Slovak words in, but there was no keyboard so that I could add the diacriticals.

Would it be easier to buy an actual keyboard? Then the problem would be to type in my English translations with it.

[VHG]

I don tthink the instructions are that bad.

Lets go through them step by step.

1) Click Windows Start button

2) Click Control Panel. The Control Panel opens.

3) If your Control Panel has text at the top saying "Pick a Category" then press the "Switch to Classic View" on the left.

4) Your control panel should now look like this.

http://www.coolnerds.com/XP/ControlPanel/xpCon trolPanel03.gif

continued....

[VHG]

more.....

1) In the Control Panel window DOUBLE click on the "Regional & Language Options" icon.

2) The "Regional & Language Options" window opens, that looks like this

http://scripts.sil.org/cms/sites/nrsi/media/XP _RegionalLanguageOptions.png

Note there are three tabs across the top:

Regional Options
Languages
Advanced.

Continued.....

[VHG]

More.....

1) On the "Regional & Language Options" window select the Languages tab.

2) There is only one button there, Details, so press it.

3) The "Text Services and Input Languages" window opens, which looks like this

http://www.pptfaq.com/install_japanese-02.png

In the "Installed Services" area in the middle it shows which keyboards you have installed.

The picture above shows English (US), French and German.

[VHG]

more.....

1) On the "Text Services and Input Languages" window is an "Installed Services area", in the centre.

2) To the right of it is an Add button. Press that Add button.

3) The "Add Input Language" window is displayed, that looks like this

http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/images/w2k_add _input_language.jpg

continued........

[VHG]

more....

1) On the "Add Input Language" window, there is a drop down list (top left).

2) Select on the blue arrow to the right of the drop down list, and a long list of languages is displayed.

3) From the list select "Slovak"

4) Now press OK on the "Add input Language" window.

The Window is removed and you are returned to the "Text Services and Input Language" window.

continued.......

[VHG]

more....

1) You are still on the "Text Services and Input Languages" window. Slovak should now appear in the "installed services" area in the centre.

2) In the bottom left press the "Language Bar" button.

3) The "Language Bar Settings" window is displayed

It looks like this

http://writing.msu.edu/lacasa/images/LanguageB arSettings.JPG

4) Select the option which says "Show the language bar on the desktop"

5) Now press OK on the "Language Bar Settings" window

continued.........

[VHG]

more....

Now press OK on all open windows one by one to save all your changes.

I did all that, then went in Word and selected Slovak from the options under EN, and I was able to type slovak letters.

So for example the numbers across the top of my keyboard gave me these slovak characters (not sure if they will come out in answerbank)

� č ť � � � � �

I was also able to get the "On screen keyboard" to show me a Slovak keyboard like is shown on the web site you reference.

I had never done anything like that before so I have learned something myself.

[VHG]

One thing that did vary from the instructions on that website you referenced.

I did not get EN on my task bar.

I got a separate language bar floating round on it own on my desktop (in the top right actualy).

But I was still able to left click on EN and select Slovak so it worked the same.

[rojash]

Although adding an additional keyboard driver in the settings will allow you to type in that language, you need to know how to use the keyboard to get special characters and accents. This is much easier if you also have the matching physical keyboard.
For example, although I type in English 90% of the time, and Greek only 10%, I use a Greek Keyboard because typing English on a Greek keyboard is very easy, whereas typing Greek on an English keyboard is pretty difficult.

[whiskeryron]

VHG, I know nothing about Slovak but I read all of your answer & I am really so impressed, well done mate,it's so nice to see how someone with a problem can be helped so much it's really warmed the old cockles.Ron.

[Explorer-8]

Thanks VHG. I will print what you have said here and then try it when I get some spare time.