Go to my computer, then control panel, go to keyboard. Click on language. You can have it alternate between English and German by pressing shift and alt to switch keyboard layouts. I do that for Spanish.
M0L0TOV

Languages and computer keyboards
 

I'm just wondering how and if there is a way to type up stuff in different languages with accents (Primarily French) without having to go to symbols in MS Word everytime. For instance on my Dad's iBook, if I hit alt+s, I get the German symbol that goes in strasse. The are other examples, but is there a way to do this on a computer running XP? Thanks.
And also, could I use the commands not just for MS Word, but various other things (AIM, forums, etc.)?

OK, thanks. Hopefully this helps later in the future. http://www.germancarfans.com/images/forums/beerchug.gif

go to start>all programs>accesories>system tools>character map ...should have anything you're looking for....usually it is like you described where you hit like alt+ numbers on the keypad and it comes up with some symbol of choice or whatever...