depending on the player, theres two region codes, one in the software, one in the firmware of the drive, changing one without the other, doesn't do anything.
powerdvd seems to not mind.
But anyway get dvd genie, i just went through this as i got some region 2 dvds from the UK on my region 1 player, league of gentlemen series and a few others.
http://www.inmatrix.com/files/dvdgenie_download.shtml