[ltp] Reset region change counter

[Christopher Sawtell]

Greetings to the List.

 I have an R40 ThinkPad with a MATSHITADVD-ROM SR-8177 DVD.
We are in Region 4, and the drive is currently set to region 4.
I have just hired a Region 1 DVD which I cannot play.
I, and the previous owner, have managed to use up all the 5 dvd region changes 
allowed.

Is it possible to reset the counter?
Is it possible to flash the firmware to make it play all regions?

Extensive Googling has resulted in millions of similar requests, but no 
answers.

Many thanks in advance.

--
C. S.