Can't read files in certain languages

[Swane]

So I downloaded a program from the internet which works with text files and shows a table with information.
The only problem is that it can't read some of the files that are in Hebrew and fails to work.
It shows all kind of weird symbols that look like English but with markings.
How to fix-it?

 

[Saberus]

Are you using the right font or text encoding? Sounds like a Unicode issue, it's using a method that isn't compatible with the current font and so it's grabbing the wrong symbols.

Just being paranoid, but did you get the program from a trustworthy source, and are you running an antivirus? Just asking because there are anti-semetic jerks out there in the world.

 

[Alabalcho]

Hebrew (as most of not-latin alphabets, like Greek, Cyrillic, Armenian, Chineese, Japanese) use Unicode characters instead of standard ASCII characters.

You might be able to use that sofiware if you change your computer' setting for non-Unicode languages (your best try could be if you are able to open your files in Notepad). Otherwise, you have to see whether this app has Unicode support (and probably upgrade it).

 

[Swane]

I am pretty sure the encoding is correct , I tried to change it to Unicode or UTF-8 but it still isn't working.
And I am pretty sure that it isn't a corrupted file as it is a file from a reliable source and works at my friends.
Just to make sure , I change the encoding by re-saving the file and changing the encoding?

 

[Alabalcho]

You change the setting in Control Panel, "Region and Language", "Administrative", "Change System Locale". After restart, you should be able to open your text file in Notepad, and read it in Hebrew. After that, try again your utility.

 

[Swane]

tried and it worked for the notepad but not for the app itself
there are question marks instead of buttons

 

[Alabalcho]

Contact the app developer - this must be fixed in the application' code.

 

[Swane]

it works on other computers

 

[Alabalcho]

it works on other computers

And why, for Pete's sake, you did not start with that fact from the very beginning?

- what is the Windows version on both computers?
- what is the Language setting on both computers?

 

[Swane]

sorry was focused on finding solutions than giving details here, ok so ill give everything:
it works on other computers, with the same OS and same language , it uses also file types like CVF , MAP , TXB , TYB and the app shows a few words but the buttons are question marks and it doesn't search for information (its main task is to get a word and search all of the files and to return a list of information ex. I type a name and it gives me all the names which are the same to what I wrote and last names etc. )