Unlocking the region for the Loox-T's DVD drive
The DVD drive in the Loox can region-switch several times, after which it will
permanently lock on the region of the last disc played. This can mean that discs
from different international regions cannot be played on the laptop. However, it
is possible to update the firmware to unlock the region - the steps for which are
outlined below. Thanks to Steve Whittle for taking the time to write this up for
me.
DISCLAIMER
WARNING!!!! This procedure is for advanced users, and could potentially
permanently render your DVD drive inoperable. If you are in any way unclear about the
techniques described below, please don't proceed. I would also advise that you read the
entire set of instructions before proceeding, to be clear in exactly what's required.
FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK! I cannot take any
responsibility for any damage or problems which might occur whilst following these
instructions. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Making Your Laptop's DVD region-free again
- Download and run the utility DriveInfo v2.1. This
will check your drive and tell you the make and model
of the drive, the version of the firmware, and the
current status of region protection on the drive. For more
information on DriveInfo, visit the website at www.visualdomain.net.
- If the drive shows as a MATSHITA DVD-ROM SR-8175
and the firmware version as GK30 (as most LOOX's seem
to) then you can download the 8175_XK30RPC1.zip file
from here.
- If the firmware version is not GK30 then go to the
Firmware Page.
Select DVD-ROM from the left hand menu, then DVD-ROM
for notebook from the options presented. Scroll down
until you find your drive (likely to be the MATSHITA
SR-8175).
Download the zip file for the patch for your version
of the firmware (e.g. if your firmware version is G322
download from the link "Patched X332 RPC-1 (for drives
with G332 firmware").
- Unzip your zip file into any directory. There
should be three files:
Dwl2.exe - program that loads the firmware
Dwl2.txt - instructions for using the program
????.bin - the actual firmware patch
(name depends on the version being loaded, e.g.
xk30.bin)
- Boot up your machine in Real-DOS mode (either from
a bootable floppy or CD or on bootup - DO NOT use the
DOS window available from your Windows operating
system).
- Change directory to the one in which you unzipped
the files.
- Enter the following at the DOS prompt and press
enter:
(where ????.bin is the downloaded bin file for your
version, e.g. xk30.bin)
- Respond to any prompts you get from the flash
program (respond Y when it asks whether to proceed).
- On completion the drive should be region free. To
confirm reboot your machine as normal and run
DriveInfo v2.1 again. This should show your drive as
version free, and should show a different version of
the firmware (with an X replacing the G - e.g. XK30
instead of GK30).
- If there were any problems, or if you need to
replace the original firware, then you can repeat the
process to reload the original. Again this can be
downloaded from
Firmware Page.
The original firmware versions are linked next to the
name of the drive. Again, find your original version
(e.g. GK30), download, and repeat from step (d). This
should replace the original firmware on the drive.
NOTE: This only makes the drive region free. You may
still have to deal with the region protection of your
DVD player. However, there are several existing tools
such as DVD Genie that overcome software region
protection.
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