[Help] - language bar cannot be opened

[computer2]

Hi,

Hope someone can help.

I am using a brand new computer with XP on as well as Works up to now.

Using a UK keyboard, UK XP version and the language setting is set up for English (UK).

However two problems:

-under the language settings I cannot click onto the 'language bar' to bring it up at all,

i.e. I can read the writing 'language bar' but as it's not highlighted, when clicking on it, nothing happens.

neither

-does it come up when right mouse clicking on the menu bar (bottom of the screen) and checking under toolbars, as the language bar cannot be found there at all.

To make it even weirder:

for whatever reason once it was possible to click onto the language bar and it showed a tick under:

showing the abreviation in the right bottom menu bar. However though I have never taken off that tick,

and now I cannot even access the language bar at all, the abreviation (EN) does not show on the desktop.

Who can advise?

Many thanks for your assistance.

Title Edited - Please follow new forum rules from now on

-- Martin L

[eyeball]

that didnt make a whole lot of sense to be honest, are you saying you want to be able to access the language settings and can no longer do this?

thanks

[computer2]

Indeed, I want to access the language bar, but cannot,

and I want to have the applicable abreviation (EN) in the right bottom corner, but it doesn't show, despite not having taken off the tick under its setting.

[eyeball]

ok if you open the control panel do you have "regional and language options" in there?

[computer2]

yup, but under languages / details/ on the bottom the language bar button cannot be clicked.....

[eyeball]

hmmm... same thing on mine too, its just grayed out,

i dont even like the language bar so it doesnt bother me, maybe someone else knows how to fix this?

[Mr Snrub]

I believe you need to have more than one input language or keyboard defined for the language bar to be available, after all it is meant for switching between the options so it doesn't make sense to have it present if there is only one language & keyboard defined.

I just verified this in XP SP2 in a virtual machine:

Originally had Swedish input language and Swedish keyboard.

Added UK language and UK keyboard, clicked Apply - "Language Bar" button becomes active.

Removed Swedish settings and applied - "Language Bar" button disable again.

Added the Swedish keyboard layout and clicked Apply - "Language Bar" button becomes active once more.

(i.e. one language and 2 keyboard setting options)

Also verified the "Language bar" option appears under Toolbars when right-clicking on the task bar.

[computer2]

Fantastic! That was it exactly, many thanks. Problem solved.

Also -just found out - some advise for anyone elso now using the keyboard setting options with different language settings:

When more than one language is chosen, one can simply switch from one language to the other by pressing the left ALT and Shift key (which language setting is currently in use, will show the abreviation).

Appreciating your help. Have a great day.