PS2 Region locks on a BC PS3

Does anyone know if the region coding for PS1 and PS2 games on BC PS3s is part of the firmware or hardware based?

I have just bought a second hand PS3 and it turns out its from Hong Kong (i live in the UK) i was just wondering if a region change of the whole unit is possible or not.

i have searched PSX scene and elsewhere but i havnt found anything useful on the situation, sorry if i am asking something that has already been asked though

thanks

I think it's hardware.

I've got a USA PS3 (also living in the UK) that I can't play my games on. I'm looking at getting a Swap Magic USA disc so I can use the Open PS2 Loader to run my games, and probably the PSX emulator in JB mode for my PS1 games.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. Yeah i was thinking about swap magic. I have a ps2 aswell so it isnt going to ruin my life if i can't get it sorted. Its annoying having the capability in the ps3 and not be able to use it though. I was hoping the multiman ps2 support would help but i havnt had chance to test it because multiman cant copy my originals to the hdd. So ill have to try it with different region backups. Ill let you know how it go's

hey KainUK i tried using multiman to launch backups, no joy, i think it must be the drive that checks the region and as you have to use a retail ps2 game to make the ps3 think there is a game in then it wont work with my pal originals

My mate has some japanese retail ps2 games so i'm going to try using them, again ill let you know what happens