French Keyboard, Mac OS

Question

French Keyboard, Mac OS

I am about to order a new MacBook for friend, who lives in Paris. She would prefer the French keyboard with English OS. This configuration does not exist it seems (French OS and English keyboard does). Can I order the all-French version and then install my English-language discs over the top of that when it arrives?

iMac G5 and MacBook (Black), Mac OS X (10.4.7), 3 x Sony Vaio, Nokia E61, Sony PSP

Posted on Sep 24, 2006 3:08 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

741,851 points

Sep 24, 2006 6:13 PM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

You may be given the option to choose Mac OS X's language when setting up the machine; if not, you can change the language from the International pane of System Preferences. There is no difference between the Mac OS X installation disks which ship in different language boxes, but the physical documentation provided with the computer or the Mac OS X box will be different depending on which language it is ordered in.

(16383)

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Answer 2

Sep 24, 2006 10:28 PM in response to Niel

That is true. But I don't think that you can change the language completely throughout the OS -otherwise why would they bother offering it in English or French? For example my base OSX is in English but it does offer me a lot of informations (the date etc) in Irish because I have requested this. All menus remain in English though.

I would imagine it would be straightforward enough to reinstall the OS in English using my original discs. She is French-speaking, having lived there for 6 years, would prefer the OS in English, but is too used to an AZERTY keyboard.

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

741,851 points

Sep 24, 2006 10:46 PM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

Does this article contain anything useful? The complete list of languages provided by Mac OS X is given here; since Irish isn't one of these, you cannot change the menus to Irish unless you find and add the necessary files manually.

(16404)

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Answer 4

Sep 25, 2006 2:49 AM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

He is talking about the keyboard too, which is a much bigger problem considering it is not replaceable. I would call apple and talk to them, I know for a fact that they do make macbooks with french keyboards

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Answer 5

Sep 26, 2006 8:33 AM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

I'm, sorry, I fear I haven't been clear in what it is I am trying to ask here.

I have ordered a new MacBook with French OSX and French keyboard. I myself own a MacBook. When the French one arrives, can I install the English OSX on it using the English-language discs supplied originally with my own?

Éamonn

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Answer 6

Helene

Level 1

75 points

Sep 26, 2006 10:18 AM in response to Éamonn Ó Catháin

Yes, you can do that. But you even should be able to use the French Disc coming with the "French MacBook". I did it for my Pismo -PowerBook G3- originally had a US English KB and I installed a French Keyboard. I took my Panther Disc and installed a French system. When you install your system it ask you to choose what language you want for your system.I guess it is the same for Tiger version. Just try it.

helene

MacBook 2GHz- 2GB

G5 2GHZ Dual 8GB RAM & 23 Apple Display Mac OS X (10.4.4)

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Answer 7

Sep 26, 2006 12:46 PM in response to Helene

True, but while I suspect that would probably work for the English version, the reverse is not the case. On foot of your post, I changed my OS language to French. I now have a curious mixture of (mainly) French for most menu options and some Irish still hanging around on dates and things like that. But just looking at iCal shows that while the birthday calendar has changed to 'anniversaires' the other two 'Calendriers' remain 'Home' and 'Work' plus 'Reminder" remaining resolutely rosbif revealing this not to be a true installation of the French OS -presumbably this is why they offer a choice of French or English MacBooks at purchase with a further choice of local or French keyboards.

Anyway, this is cool. The French keyboard version is on its way and clearly I can change the operating language to English through system preferences or by a complete re-installation of the English OS from the discs that came with my own.

Thank you.

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