--- Forwarded Message from Bernd Conrad <[log in to unmask]> ---

>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 21:11:33 -0700
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>From: Bernd Conrad <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7435.1 Where is region info stored? (!)

On my Mac, running OS X, I force-quit DVD Player to prevent the
region code count down from advancing (APPLE-key + OPTION-key + ESC).
Given the number of Region 1 and 2 DVDs I have, I have found this to
be the least obtrusive solution. I would be curious to know whether
force-quitting an application breaks the law.

Bernd Conrad
Northern Arizona University

>--- Forwarded Message from [log in to unmask] ---
>
>>From: [log in to unmask]
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: RE: #7435 Where is region info stored?
>>Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 10:36:38 -0500
>
>To the best of my knowledge, the region information is stored in the
>drive's firmware.  There are some programs out there that will flash
>your drive's firmware to allow you to re-set the region even after 5
>plays, but I think I've heard that they also carry some threat of
>damaging the drive or voiding the warranty or somesuch.  (Perhaps
>somebody else can confirm or refute that.)  Reformatting the hard
>drive, and/or reinstalling the OS, has no affect on a DVD drive's
>firmware.
>
>  > >Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 08:34:21 -0800
>  > >From: Patrick Foster <[log in to unmask]>
>  > >Subject: Where is region info stored?
>  > >In-reply-to: <[log in to unmask]>
>  > >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
>  ><[log in to unmask]>
>  > >References: <[log in to unmask]>
>  >
>  >Does anyone know where the region information on a computer with a
>  >DVD drive is stored? As I understand it, one is allotted a number of
>  >changes in the region code before it "locks". Is that information
>  >stored in some sort of non-volatile RAM in the drive or on the
>  >computer's hard drive? Would a re-format and re-install of the OS let
>  >you start over?
>  >
>  >Thanks,
>  >
>  >Pat
>  >--
>  >Patrick A. Foster
>  >Director, Modern Languages Learning Center
>  >http://mllc.ewu.edu
>  >Eastern Washington University
>  >(509) 359-6002
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Jonathan White          Boston University
>Technical Coordinator   Center for English Language
>617-358-2499            and Orientation Programs
>[log in to unmask]          http://www.bu.edu/celop
>----------------------------------------------------------------------