The Firmware Page

Hello,

I purchased a used Blu-Ray Combo optical drive from eBay (Sony Optiarc BC-5500A PATA). It was originally from an Acer Aspire 6920G 812G32Bn notebook that had been salvaged for parts. I have added this to a HTPC with the hope of playing blu-ray movies. Installed Cyberlink PowerDVD 10, which tells me that there are zero more times to select for Region (world region for viewing disks ... A, B, or C). I assume that either the previous user changed the Region setting 5 times and used up this option, or that somehow, by installing the BC-5500A on a different system this caused the firmware to default to zero options for changing Region.

I know nothing about firmware of optical drives, but I'm seeking advice. I found the firmware download for non-OEM BC-5500A

http://www.sony-optiarc.eu/supportservi ... 5500a.html

But this warns not to flash an OEM drive.

I'm guessing I'll need the firmware from Acer so that I can reset the Region settings, but my previous experience with Acer support has been very disappointing. I'm sure they will give me nothing since I don't have the original notebooks serial number.

Have I bought a useless optical drive that is now only good for a paperweight, or is there a way to reset the Region settings?

Hope someone out there can help.

Tim
New Zealand

you cannot reset the region changes. Once its set, that is it. there is no bluray patch to change this. best bet is to try software like AnyDVD HD

It was a CyberlinkPowerDVD10 problem. When I installed Arcsoft TotalmediaTheatre5, absolutely no problem palying blu-ray disks, and a better picture than PowerDVD10.

So the optical drive is all good.

Phew!

Tim
New Zealand

There are certain commands for resetting the region code of a DVD on Optiarc drives, but I guess the BD region code is not affected by this. But fortunately you've already been able to solve this problem yourself in this case.