[a fool in paradise]

Can’t speak about your situation.

I’m aware of the alleged limited number of discs that can be played before the region “locks” but I don’t think I’ve had a problem with it on my equipment.

I’ve used multiple laptops without issue and multiple playback programs over the years.

I don’t typically play R2 (or R3) discs on my computer but I’ve done it.

What gets me is the new 4k technology that is going to require monitor AND player AND disc (and network) to agree that you can play a disc.

Imagine if there were no import compact discs (or record albums).

[a fool in paradise]

You may need to provide the model of your internal and external DVD drives.

I’m still using W7 at home and using VLC as the primary playback.

[yarddog]

Around 5 years ago, I ordered a movie (The Edge Of The World) on ebay from England. It stated that it would only play in some region. I had no idea what region codes even were.

When I tried to play it, of course it would not play. I did a little research and saw where the Phillips DVD player could be hacked so it would play all regions.

I followed the instructions and sure enough, after going through the steps, it plays all regions.

The player only cost around $35 to start with. A cheap way to play all DVDs.

[Do_Tar]

There are several “info” programs that will tell you the status of your DVD drive.
I’ve used “Driveinfo22” in the past. It’s a small free program that you don’t have to install, just run it on your computer.
It will tell you the drive model, if it has a region code and how many changes you have left.

As with any program you get online make sure you get it from a “safe” source.

You can get this same information if you go to “Device Manager”, select the DVD drive and select “properties”.

[Do_Tar]

Okay. I reread your post.

The region code is specific to each DVD drive, not Windows. There should be no problem having different drives with different regions.
Cyberlink Power DVD has an explanation on their website if you do a search for “Cyberlink Power DVD region code”.

[a fool in paradise]

Hmm. I just tested my current system (Win 7 laptop).

It isn’t letting me play my R2 discs (at least without setting the region code which it tells me has 4 changes left).

My previous Compaq laptop was letting me play all discs. And my Apex DVD player before that was set to be region free.

[Sans-Culotte]

I used to use a program called Region Free DVD that would make the PC drive not see the region coding. However, it ceased to work for me after I upgraded to W7 from XP, and the developer stopped working on it. I don't really have a need to play discs on my computer as I have a hacked Blu-ray player that will play all regions and formats (PAL/NTSC). There is a good selection of such players at 220 ELECTRONICS.