Unexpected characters, Drive problems, The hard drive cannot read the data. see – Dell Precision M60 User Manual
Page 88: If you cannot play a cd, cd-rw, dvd, or dvd+rw, If the cd-rw or dvd+rw drive stops writing

Unexpected Characters
Drive Problems
Fill out the
Diagnostics Checklist
as you complete these checks.
If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW
High-speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise. The noise does not indicate a defect with the drive or the CD.
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
If the CD-RW or DVD+RW drive stops writing
Disable the numeric keypad —
Press
to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the
numbers lock light is not lit.
NOTE:
Because of different worldwide file types, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives.
Ensure that Windows recognizes the drive —
In Windows XP, click the Start button and click My Computer. In other operating systems,
double-click My Computer. If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses
can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. Insert a bootable disk and restart the computer.
Try another disc —
Insert another disc to eliminate the possibility that the original disc is defective.
Adjust the Windows volume control —
Double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is
turned up and that the sound is not muted.
Reinstall the drive
1.
Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and shut down the computer.
2.
Remove the drive. See "
Using the Module Bay
" for instructions.
3.
Reinstall the drive.
4.
Turn on the computer.
Clean the drive or disc —
See "
Cleaning Your Computer
" for instructions.
Check the drive for errors
If a drive error message appears, see "
Run the IDE Drives tests as described in the
Dell Diagnostics
.
1.
Ensure that the computer is shut down.
2.
Straighten a paper clip and insert one end into the eject hole at the front of the drive; push firmly until the tray is partially ejected.
3.
Gently pull out the tray until it stops.
l
Ensure that the sound is not caused by the program that is running.
l
Ensure that the disk or disc is inserted properly.