What happens after changing DVD region drive?

Question

I have a LG GWA-4161B dvd burner and it allows me to change the dvd region code 4 times.

http://www.bizrate.com/cd_dvddrives/lg-gwa-4161b-dvd-rw-drive--pid326733016/compareprices__kw--gwa-4161b__mkt_id--31054044__qcid--3598812030313.html

Is there a way to allow it to be region free all the time? What happens if I remove the hardware and plug it back in? Would that reset the 4 change limit?

I've already looked for firmware upgrades.

Answer 1

after the 4th region change, you'll no longer be able to change the region code again - not if you reinstall windows, not if you unplug it from the machine and leave it in a hole for 100 years. it's a hardware thing y'see, stored within the dvd-rw drive itself.

you should instead go the software route to do this - you can install a program which will bypass the region code quietly in the background every time you insert a dvd.

download a free program like dvd43:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=DVD43

or the paid-for anydvd or dvdregionfree:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=AnyDVD
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=DVD_Region-Free

it's really not worth using the firmware method, because obtaining a firmware for your specific drive is near impossible and if it goes wrong your drive will end up a large, useless, brick.

if you did want to risk changing the firmware of the drive, you could look here for the firmware for the burner you have:
http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php

Answer 2

Is there a way to allow it to be region free all the time?
Not that I am aware of. Possibly, check online.

What happens if I remove the hardware and plug it back in? Would that reset the 4 change limit?
No, it will not. This is stored on an IC on the drive itself. You can not reset it. If you use your last change to set it to Region 5 it is then stuck permanently on Region 5. No amount of unplugging and plugging will fix that.

Answer 3

Unplugging the drive will do nothing.

There's usually a firmware hack which removes the region lock but you'll have to track that down for your specific drive. ( disable your active x before prowling about those websites )

A regular firmware update from the manufaturer...if you can find one, will reset the number of changes back to 5. You could run that firmaware as often as necessary

Answer 4

I believe it's a Windows phenomenon rather than hardware. I don't know how to get around it though.