DVDRW drive cant read DVD Movies - Is it Region Locking or ... ?!?

I live in Canada and own a Liteon SOHW 832sDVDRW (version VS0J 2005/07/21). Recently the DVD region count hit 0but i used LtnRPC to reset both the vendor and user region count backto 5. It claims the drive region is not set yet after the patch.

I have no idea if this is even related but when i try to play anycommercial bought DVD discs from the DVDRW either Windows XP treats itas a blank DVDR or the drive endlessly spins up and clicks nevershowing the movie. Is this what happens when a drive is still dvdregion locked playing a video outside its region?

I am able to play CDs fine and can read DVDRs (data files or burntregion-free movies). But actual commercial DVD movies arent playinganymore. I've tried things out in safe mode but same effect.

Thanks for any assistance.* Oh I have Kaspersky and SuperantiSpyware installed.