| Running a site that deals with unlocking | | | | already region free by default. These types |
| stand alone DVD playback devices and allowing | | | | of drives are known as RPC1, drives made |
| them to play discs from different regions | | | | after 2000 are known as RPC2 and are normally |
| naturally brings many questions to my inbox. | | | | locked with the limitations which I mentioned |
| One particular question that seems to be | | | | earlier. |
| asked frequently is from individuals seeking | | | | |
| to convert their desktop PC or laptop DVD | | | | Most of us probably own a drive manufactured |
| drive to region free status, in this article | | | | in the year 2000 or later and the commercial |
| I hope to answer this question and point | | | | market currently offers a few select |
| these looking for a solution in the right | | | | software based solutions to get around the |
| direction. | | | | region issue. Personally my preferred option |
| | | | is permanently change the internal software |
| The chances are that your current drive will | | | | of the DVD drive, this software is commonly |
| only change its region around five times, | | | | known as firmware. So to put it simply we |
| once these permitted changes have been used | | | | need to downgrade your current firmware. The |
| up your drive will be locked in to the region | | | | previously mentioned "DVD Drive Info" |
| that it was changed at the final region | | | | program will display your drives make and |
| switch. A free and simple is tool is | | | | model, you will need to made a note of this. |
| available which can display the status of | | | | In most cases you will be looking for a |
| your DVD drive, it should work on most | | | | compatible RPC1 firmware for your particular |
| Windows based systems - to download "DVD | | | | model plus a compatible tool to install it |
| Drive Info 2.2" visit: | | | | with. At this point you should be made aware |
| | | | that changing your devices firmware could in |
| Owners of older DVD drives made before the | | | | rare circumstances permanently damage your |
| year 2000 are the lucky ones, this because | | | | drive. |
| most DVD drives made before this year are | | | | |