DVD drive setup tips (for XP)
Did you know that your DVD can only be set 4 times Regionally? The Last time it stays fixed in the final change,even if you move the drive to another computer!
Its Junk surely? It's set to region 6 (China) You have a North American disk (R1) will it play?
The answer is Yes

Answer in a Moment.

First thing to check is if you get a DVD drive from overseas or 2nd hand is to find how it is Setup ,and its not run out of Region changes. Also the Region is correct for the region you living in!
A dilemma? Yes.
Junk? No! (Go to the Bottom of this topic!)

Method:
Open "My Computer" Right click on either the C: or D: drive > Click Properties> Hardware Tab
On the list Highlight the DVD Drive (Mine is Listed as LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1S)
Next look below and click the Properties Button...

New Window appears with several Tabs (We need to check 2 of these)

1) Click Properties
See if the CD Volume slider is Maxxed out(to High)
And the Tick box beneath (Digital CD) is ticked
2) DVD Region Tab
Read the Message! Look at the "Remaining changes" .Reads 4? Then its untouched )
Now the region Setting (if it been Playing before with DVDs from your country) the setting should need no adjustment
Most of Europe is mainly Region 2 North America is R1 But there are some odd Variations
France has 2 regions R2 for France in General but Below it there is a France - Metropolitan Region(!) Which is Region 4
There are 2 region boxes below the country list the Top one gives the setting the Drive is set to currently
Now go up the Window to the country list and scroll to your Country. Click it and in the lower box the region is flashed up ...Same? Then DO NOT hit the OK Button to close the box Click on the RED "X" instead!
List is worth studying as to what Region is the requirement for what Country (Middle/Far East has at least 3 differences)
If there is a difference then click the "OK" Button...To change the Region!(and Lose a Life!)

Out of Lives or think that is too much to do then Install VLC Mediaplayer from www.videolan.org which Plays any region DVD disk with no fuss, also plays CDs.

I have issues with Windows Mediaplayer,and Realplayer playing content from these sources.
Both play fine with Streaming Webcams (indirectly) but refuse flat to play my DVD movies

Bit more help
Look on the sleeve of the DVD the Region Number is Printed either on the box on on the Disk

Sometimes there is No code.. You'll see something like PAL,SECAM or NTSC

PAL is roughly Region 2 (Europe)
SECAM = French speaking Countries = Region 4
and NTSC is Region 1 = North America (and colonies)

But Googling the "TV standard" with Google should clarify matters

And if you don't want to go through all that Hassle or you drive is Locked then Install
what the canny webusers have discovered, the VLC(VideoLAN) Player which disregards those setting and plays Just about anything
If such and such player won't play it then this Player may have the Right driver an Play it for you?
OH yes it is totally Free

www.filehippo.com/download_vlc/