Panasonic DMR-E55 DVD Recorder plays does not record

Testimonial: "It won't record, period. Both -R and RAM discs, new or not, will not record. It won't recognize a RAM as recordable. It won't format a new RAM disc, it won't unprotect a new RAM disc. It will play a RAM, or a finalized -RW disc. A RAM disc recorded in another identical em-55 will play and it will operate in that machine but not in the defective one. This machine belongs to a friend, I was with him when he bought it, and no one else has played with it. It was hooked to an AT&T cable system for several months, maybe years and never used except to play dvds. On a Hughes dish system 10 yrs ago, I could record on it, so I know this unit very well. It simply will not record either RF or AV inputs, from any source. Of course all broadcasts are digital, but DISH, eg., has a receiver with AV outputs, as does direct TV, so an old TV will play, and old VCR's and DVD recorders will record the converted signal. Not this unit. Something has been changed in the operating software. So the question is can that feature be reversed, with a command from the remote, like is available to reset a stuck disk, or clock? That's a left search+open/close+time slip."