I got a computer from the store that had been preinstalled with Windows XP Pro, it would automatically log on.
The default language was Arabic, and i changed it to English. Everything was working fine until I added a password to my account. After restarting, I can't log in to the computer because my password was in english and the default language at login is Arabic. So I did also make another account with no password so that I could bypass the password on this account if something was to go wrong, but I can't even log on to that one. When I hit Ctrl+Alt+Del+Del, I get the 2k logon window, but I can't type the user name either, because the keyboard is set to Arabic. I'm incredibly frustrated with it, hope someone can suggest a quick fix. Is there some keyboard shortcut to cycle through languages BEFORE logging on to windows?

As far as I know, and that's the case with my XP installation (Home Edition, though), you can change the language while at the login screen. There should be a language box, like the one in the taskbar, right next to the password box. If it is missing, however, you can try using the shortcut for changing languages - unfortunately, I can't remember what the shortcut is

Ya, make sure that your keyboard layout is set to EN_US when you see that little blue box on the bottom left of your screen.

Else, reinstall the system.

xboxrulz

There is that little box at the login screen, it's labeled AR, but clicking on it doesn't change anything. I suspect it's not actually installed with multiple languages.

Then I don't think you can change it then :s. It should be a blue box that says AR and by pressing it, it should change. Else, you might have to reinstall the system.

xboxrulz

Fixed it! Used cd050303.iso to reset all passwords on the system, then was able to automatically log on. Did a repair installation using my XP cd, and it didn't delete the arabic default, but it did add english. So now at the login it automatically uses arabic as the default keyboard language, and still doesn't do anything by clicking on it. -- it's grayed out. but using the keyboard shortcut I am now able to switch between languages, so it works, and actually acts as a second layer of protection for dummies trying to get in.... everything they type will be arabic.
the shortcuts apparently are either left ctrl + left shift, or left alt + left shift.

Are you sure you are able to switch between languages when the lock or the logn dialog is open? I've tried it on my XP but it doesn't work...I would reinstall the whole OS...it may surrise you when you ahve not your recover CD underhand...

How to change the language on the Login screen
How To Change Language At Login Screen

Replying to rockarolla
If you are locked out I don't think you can change the Language on the login screen. However you may still be able to enter the Password using the ALT Key and the Numeric Key pad to enter the ASCII codes. For instance if the password was "test"
ALT - 0116 !t
ALT - 0101 !e
ALT - 0115 !s
ALT - 0116 !t

Once logged in go into RegEdit HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Keyboard Layout\Preload

Set the value in parameter 1 to 000409 (I think) for English.

When you reboot you should be good to go.

-reply by Robert