Complex Scripts Are Not Supported at a Command Prompt in Windows XP (323638)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

This article was previously published under Q323638

For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 316628.

SYMPTOMS

If you are using a keyboard input locale (such as Arabic, Hebrew, or Thai) that uses complex scripts, you may see either English characters or question mark characters (?) when you type at a command prompt.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because complex scripts are not supported at a command prompt. If English or another supported input locale is also installed, the command prompt automatically switches to the supported language. If you switch back to the unsupported language while the command prompt is running, or if no supported language is installed, you see only question mark characters when you type.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	5/30/2002
Keywords:	kbenv kbprb KB323638