Sorted, for an odd reason...
The laptop happily reads & writes all makes of DVDs I've tried so far...and did so before & after fixing my problem...
But, clutching at straws I took off all the non-supplied-by-Sony Software on the beast - OpenOffice, SuperAntiSpyware, Antir-Vir antivrus (all free.. ) just-in-case....
And then it worked, 2 sets of recovery media created, thanks, mixture of makes of DVDs including Verbatim.
Put back AntiVir - wouldn't work.. So - anyone else having problemds?? Try taking Antivirus off 1st - Thanks for the suggestions guys anyway!
Oh, and why free AntiVirus etc?? Well I never could abide McAfee, dislike paying for SW (I myself am pretty much 100% Linux - Ubuntu for my own Laptop, Android for my 'phone)... but the wife uses Windoze....
Cheers all!
Artful
PS And on my own laptop running dual-boot Windoze/Ubuntu the Ubuntu environment is noticeable quicker & slicker... others may hold differing views....
Message was edited by: theartfullodger
Message was edited by: theartfullodger