What is How do I change my system setting?

Question

When I try to watch a dvd I get an error message saying my system region setting is 8 and needs to be set at region 1. Both of my dvd drives are set to region 1. How do I change my system setting?

Answer

This question was answered on December 12, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

If your DVD is domestic, then you can set it to your local region. If is is foreign, then you can change the region in Windows XP, but only five times. Unless you watch an exclusive region's DVDs, it is not recommended changing your region.

However, if you need to change the region, this is what you do.

Login as the administrator, or be part of the adminnistrative group. You will also need to have a DVD for that region in your drive to make the change. (Region 1 is in the USA and Canada.)

Right click "My Computer" and select "Properties". On the "Hardware" tab, click "Device Manger".

There will be a list of devices, double click DVD/CD-ROM drives. Then right click the DVD drive that you want to change region settings. Then chose Properties.

On the "DVD Region" tab change it to the region you want.

The DVD Region tab should display the number of changes still available to you. If the DVD Region tab shows that you have only one more opportunity to change the setting, you should change it back to United States or your local setting.

Author

Posted by kenward of Chandler-Gilbert Community College on December 12, 2005