Characters for some languages do not work correctly when you type them in a 64-bit program on a computer that is running a 64-bit version of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 (892075)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition

SYMPTOMS

Characters for some languages do not work correctly when you try to type them in a 64-bit program on a computer that is running a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

For example, when you use an East Asian language Input Method Editor (IME) for your default keyboard layout, you cannot type East Asian language characters in a 64-bit program. This problem can occur when you use the 64-bit versions of the following programs:
  • WordPad
  • Notepad
  • Windows Explorer
  • Microsoft Outlook Express
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
This problem may also occur when you enter text in the Welcome to Windows logon dialog box.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because you are using an IME that supports only 32-bit programs. This IME will not work correctly with a 64-bit program.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, select an IME that supports both 32-bit programs and 64-bit programs. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Regional and Language Options.
  2. Click the Languages tab, and then click Details.
  3. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, click Add, click the Input language list, and then click the language that you want.
  4. Click the Keyboard layout/IME list, and then click the 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME in the keyboard layout that you want.
  5. Click OK.
  6. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, click the Default input language list, and then click the 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME that you selected in step 4.
  7. Click OK two times.
  8. If you are prompted to restart your computer, do so.
Note You may have both a 32-bit IME and a 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME configured on your computer. In this case, press CTRL+SHIFT to manually switch to the 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME.

Important A 32-bit IME does not work with the Welcome to Windows logon dialog box because the logon is a 64-bit process. If your computer is configured to use a 32-bit IME as the default keyboard layout for the default user profile, you cannot type international characters in the Welcome to Windows logon dialog box. You must manually switch to a 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME. To do this, press ALT+SHIFT. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

292246 List of languages supported in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the following IMEs on your computer:
  • 32-bit IME
    This IME will work with 32-bit programs. However, it will not work with 64-bit programs.
  • 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME
    This kind of IME provides 32-bit and 64-bit IME capabilities.
  • 64-bit IME
    This IME will work with 64-bit programs. However, it will not work with 32-bit programs.
A 32-bit IME will work correctly with a 32-bit program, such as the 32-bit version of Notepad or the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer. However, if you use a 32-bit and 64-bit combined IME as your default keyboard layout, you can use the IME with both 32-bit programs and 64-bit programs.

Additionally, a 64-bit IME will not work correctly with a 32-bit program, such as the 32-bit version of Notepad or the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer.

Each IME includes a dynamic link library (.dll) file. A 32-bit IME uses a 32-bit .dll file. A 32-bit .dll file cannot be loaded into a 64-bit process. Alternatively, a 64-bit IME uses a 64-bit .dll file. A 64-bit .dll file cannot be loaded into a 32-bit process.

The IMEs that are included in 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 provide both the 32-bit binary files and the 64-bit binary files that are required to work correctly in a 64-bit environment.

For more information about why 64-bit processes cannot load 32-bit .dll files, visit the following MSDN Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/win64/win64/reasons_for_64_32_restrictions.asp?frame=true

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/27/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot kbprb KB892075 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser
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