Need Help with DMR-ES35! U88 error, locked DVD-RAM, etc.

I a DMR-ES35 which has been working fine for the last nine months. However, I've been having issues the last week or so.

Hard to describe, but have gotten the U88 error. Also, the DVD-RAM disc that came with the unit is now "locked" I can't delete anything off of it. Also, the Navigator menu was really slow when toggling between the different items recorded on it.

I went to Best Buy and bought some new Panasonic DVD-RAM discs. Put one of these in, formatted the disc and set it to record a show. It recorded the show, but it's stutters, it's pixellated and basically just freezes up after a bit. I tried the Panasonic Support idea of re-setting the unit to original factory condition, but now my new DVD-RAM disc is not useable either - it's "locked", I can't delete stuff off of it, I can't format it. Panasonic support said the next step is to send the unit in for them to look at.

Since it's within the one-year warranty timeframe, I'll probably do this, but didn't know if someone has experienced this and knows what's going on. I'd rather just fix it myself instead of waiting for them to repair/replace it for who knows how long.

Let me know if you can help!

-Mike