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How to make DVD-ROM region free ?

If your drive is locked, DVD doesn’t play and you can’t change region code or bypass protection using described methods, then the last & only working solution is to “patch” your DVD-ROM drive, and replace hardware region code protection mechanism. It’s a dangerous method, which can be used only by PC professionals.

If you live in the USA or Canada (R1) then you most likely won’t need the ability to play DVDs from other regions, unless you are interested in some of the rare titles that are out in Europe (R2) but not in the USA. If you live in Europe and you prefer to watch the movies in English then most likely you have to flash your firmware (in order to buy American DVDs).

Load another firmware which disables the region code protection. This is ONLY for advanced users!

Step 1.  If you’re unsure about the type of the drive I suggest you run driveinfo.
Download DriveInfo program from this page: http://www.remoteselector.com/driveinfo.htm

In case of ASPI error you have to install forceaspi first. Here’s download link with instructions on how to install it: http://force_aspi_18.w.interia.pl/. After installing forceaspi you have to reboot your machine. Driveinfo will show you the type of your DVD drive as well as the current firmware, and whether or not the drive is regionfree. If driveinfo tells you the drive has no region protection of course you don’t have to do anything.

Step 2.  After you determine the type of your firmware you should download _EXACT_ version of patched firmware. Go here: http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php and check if there’s an updated firmware for your type of DVD drive. This step is really crucial! Double or triple check that you have the right firmware, otherwise your drive might not work after flashing anymore (and unfortunately there are flash programs that allow you to load the wrong firmware). Bad flashing could destroy your drive definitively. Read carefully the installation notes of your firmware before you upgrade. The Firmware Page and the drive manufacturer can’t be responsible. AND REMEMBER: This is at your own risk.

Step 3.  After you’ve downloaded the right firmware you’ll have to create a Windows bootdisk. You can format a disk and check “copy system files” and you’ll get a working bootdisk. Then copy the flasher program and the firmware to the disc as well. Then reboot your pc and change the boot drive order if necessary so that your pc boots from the disk drive. Since every BIOS looks different I can’t tell you where to change the boot order. Please refer to the manual of your mainboard / pc or call customer support.

Step 4.  After rebooting run the flasher. Then the program will search for a DVD-ROM and ask you if you want to flash. Type yes, wait until the program has finished, then reboot your pc. Once back in Windows run driveinfo again. If everything has gone as it’s supposed to that’s what you’re supposed to get. Enjoy.. you’ve just beaten the DVD-ROM Hardware region-protection system.

NOTE: Before you buy a DVD-ROM make sure that there’s RPC-1 firmware for it on this site: http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php.

You should be aware that in some cases the warranty might become void if you mess around with your drive on your own. Here are additional useful tips: The DVD-ROM Firmware Flashing FAQ