Asus DVD-E616A3 - region code problem

**Zerotech** · June 25th, 2007, 07:17 PM

Hi All!

I know it's been a while since I posted. This one's got me stumped.

I just picked up an Asus DVD-E616A3 from Newegg (for the ATA-100 interface) and found that a few programs on my system don't particularly like the region-free setting of the drive. I've tried to change the region code to 1, but I get an error message saying that I need administrative rights and region 1 media in the drive. I've tried several different times with several different disks, but no joy. I know that I have admin rights on the system.

Is there some special Asus utility I need? I couldn't find one on their site. Any help is greatly appreciated.

TIA

Zerotech

**NooNoo** · June 26th, 2007, 07:32 AM

What windows is this? Have you tried in safe mode logged in as Administrator?

**Zerotech** · June 27th, 2007, 08:20 AM

Hi NooNoo,

It's Win XP Pro SP2, I haven't tried safe mode yet, I'll give it a go tonight.

Mine is the only account, so I have admin rights all the time (not a "best practice", I know).

I'll try your advice and post back.

Thanks!

**NooNoo** · June 27th, 2007, 08:26 AM

Admin rights and logged in as Administrator are two different things.... use the Administrator login in safe mode.

**Zerotech** · June 30th, 2007, 12:14 PM

Well, I tried it logged in as Administrator in safe mode, still no go.
I get the same error message in safe mode.

I'm going to try e-mailing Asus' technical support. From their website, it looks like they don't want you to contact them until you've exhausted all other avenues.

Thanks for trying, NooNoo.

**NooNoo** · June 30th, 2007, 12:42 PM

In the meanwhile, have you thought about a firmware upgrade?

**slgrieb** · June 30th, 2007, 01:43 PM

Links to Asus support phone numbers: http://usa.asus.com/aboutasus.aspx?show=3

I've found that hold times for the RMA dept. may be shorter than hold times for tech support, and they will usually transfer you to support pretty fast when you call for an RMA.

**Zerotech** · July 1st, 2007, 09:47 PM

NooNoo: Yes, that was the first thing I tried. I received the drive with firmware v1.01, when I couldn't set the region code, I updated to v1.10 (the latest available). Unfortunately, it didn't make any difference.

slgrieb: I have already sent an e-mail to tech support; if I get nowhere with that, I'll call on the phone.

Thanks for the advice, the battle goes on.

**NooNoo** · July 2nd, 2007, 09:52 AM

It should set to a region after 5 plays to comply with US law. What programs are giving you problems with region free?

**Zerotech** · July 3rd, 2007, 11:11 AM

Mainly PowerDVD; but also, dare I say it?..., DVD Decrypter.

For now I'm using an external drive, it does the job minus the benefit of the ATA-100 interface.
Hopefully Asus tech support will come through with something.

**NooNoo** · July 3rd, 2007, 12:44 PM

Yes, powerDVD would be upset, but dvd decrypter usually doesn't care. Have you tried with dvdshrink?

**Zerotech** · July 3rd, 2007, 10:30 PM

PowerDVD and DVDShrink both refuse to open the disc until a region is set on the drive. DVD Decrypter will open the disc, but has to use "brute force" method to crack the CSS. This causes errors and skipped files during extraction.

Discs made with DVD Shrink play fine. Data discs read fine, too.
It's getting a bit frustrating. Still, I'm getting by with the external drive, it's just a little inconvenient.

**NooNoo** · July 4th, 2007, 11:58 AM

Was it bought as a "region free" ? Or did you set it that way?

**Zerotech** · July 6th, 2007, 05:41 PM

This is how it was "out of the box". I've also been told that it's not actually "region free", the region code just hasn't been set yet (nor can it be, apparently). I'm still waiting to hear from Asus tech support.

**slgrieb** · July 6th, 2007, 08:30 PM

Zero, the drive should be region free. Asus won't respond to your email before the next iceage, and most likely, not at all. Last time I called RMA dept., my hold time was probably less than five minutes. They'll either RMA the drive immediately or transfer you promptly to support.