xenetik posted the following trick

Reset ASUS E-616 region counter

Here is how to do it:
1.Power down your pc
2.when power is off hold down the two buttons on your dvd drive (play/stop)
3.While holding down buttons power up your pc.
4. When you see your bios detecting your drives you can let go. If you let got too late (hold down buttons too long) your pc will hang, if this happens just start again. I find that holding the buttons down for about 5 seconds after you see the bios do its thing is fine.