[shollin]

My family is German and we have been playing German DVDs on my computer, as this it the only DVD player in the house that allowed us to switch region codes easily. I also play some U.S. DVDs on it sometimes and have been switching the region codes whenever needed. I know it told me that this could only be done 5 times, but I never thought they were serious. I mean, I paid for the computer with the DVD drive and am legitimately paying for all the DVDs, so where does HP get off telling me I can only watch them five times??? Anyway, not surprisingly, I am now stuck in region 2 (ex U.S.). I have been searching the internet for a fix and as far as I can tell, there is no way to fix this and the only suggestion is to buy a new DVD player. That seems crazy. Please help!

I have an HP Pavilion "Entertainment PC" (that made me laugh)
The DVD player is a Slimtype DVD A DS8A1H ATA Device

[cwwozniak]

Hi shollin, and welcome to TSG.

Originally Posted by shollin

I know it told me that this could only be done 5 times, but I never thought they were serious.

You thought very wrong.

Originally Posted by shollin

so where does HP get off telling me I can only watch them five times???

You can watch DVDs matching the drive's region code as many times as you want. You can only change the drive's region code 5 times. HP (and any other computer or DVD drive manufacturer) had no choice in the matter since January 1, 2000. If you want to get mad at anybody, blame the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for your situation.

[buffoon]

Hi shollin and welcome.
Well now that you've done it you're stuck. Since the legality or illegality of changing region codes is in no way established (either pro or con) here's a link for the next time you buy a DVD player

http://www.aboutgerman.net/AGNculture/dvd-guide_2.htm

Pity you didn't ask earlier.