View Full Version : Life Expectancy:storage media
Friend_Bear made a post last week re: issues w/EA's CD quality.
This got me thinking about longevity in general re: CD life expectancy.
I learned the hard way recently about backing up files recorded on floppy format. [files are JPEG, many became corrupted].
I am now burning these files to CD immediately, on quality disc.
"Q": How long can I expect CDs to last?
Assuming I keep them in cases, use caution when handling, minimize exposure to light & extreme temps, shouldnt they last indefinately?
Whats the oldest CD you have [pre-recorded or self burned]?
Friend_Bear
10-08-2003, 09:18 AM
Personnaly, I don't know. I've still got some CD's from way back from 1997 and they have a few tiny scratches but still work perfectly, then there was those EA CD's that seem to have a life of a few months!
I have numerous CDs that are still functional from 1998 (Verbatims are the oldest, but I have other brands). I keep all of mine in CD cases (Caselogic et al). How you store and treat them is important. When I first got into burning CDs, I heard from numerous sources taht CDs should have a life of 50 years if treated well. I assume this was just a rumor because no one had proof.
So, treat and store them well, and they should last a long time. If you store your CDs in empty spindles, they won't last too long (they can crack under pressure, they can get scratched, etc).
According to the National Science Academy, freezing your CDs @ 17 degrees fahrenheit w/bicarbonate of soda [Arm& Hammer] will extend CD life 75 years + [but whos gonna do that?]:
http://www.cd-info.com/CDIC/CDLite/LongLife.html
Im hoping that quality CD's I store my data on will last for 25-30 years, for family posterity if nothing else. At the very least, photos should survive longer on CD than film negatives [which I hear degrade over time from day one]. I bought into the digital revolution as being a savior to preserving photo documentation indefinately. To date, they are the most stable [& inexpensive] media storage available to public.
Suicides-by-Steve
10-11-2003, 04:31 PM
<div class=\"smallfont\"> When I first got into burning CDs, I heard from numerous sources taht CDs should have a life of 50 years if treated well. I assume this was just a rumor because no one had proof.</div>
50 years? Wow, that would surprise me... I guess if I'm lucky, I'll get a chance to see if this is true, but seriously I doubt it
For cdrs they use 2 different types of dyes with the gold being superior. The blue cdrs claim a lifespan of 10-30 years and the gold cdrs are rated 100-200 years. For stamped cds they are said to last longer as it is a different process for creating them. Also cdrw are probably the weakest in lifespan. Also if you view different sites looking into this issue you will get all kinds of information and misinformation. It is all a good guess. Oxidation is of course the killer that causes data rot although not a huge problem as it was in the early days. Laser discs actually had alot more trouble as the 2 halves of the disks where glued together and inbetween the seams air would causes data rot and give you hiss and noise on the laser disc after they started getting old.
Interesting stuff anyhow...
<div class=\"smallfont\">For cdrs they use 2 different types of dyes with the gold being superior. The blue cdrs claim a lifespan of 10-30 years and the gold cdrs are rated 100-200 years. For stamped cds they are said to last longer as it is a different process for creating them. Also cdrw are probably the weakest in lifespan. Also if you view different sites looking into this issue you will get all kinds of information and misinformation. It is all a good guess. Oxidation is of course the killer that causes data rot although not a huge problem as it was in the early days. Laser discs actually had alot more trouble as the 2 halves of the disks where glued together and inbetween the seams air would causes data rot and give you hiss and noise on the laser disc after they started getting old.
Interesting stuff anyhow...</div>
Didnt know about CDRW having less longevity.
Re: CD color dyes. Im looking at several now [CDR's], none have any visible color coding. Other than visual, is thee another way to id color?
Archmage1
10-12-2003, 03:37 PM
My CIS professor said that a CD would last between 25 and 50 years but a DVD would last 500!!!
Obviously, this assumes that both media are protected and stored at a optimal temperature...
<div class=\"smallfont\">My CIS professor said that a CD would last between 25 and 50 years but a DVD would last 500!!!
Obviously, this assumes that both media are protected and stored at a optimal temperature...</div>
Ok, now I wanna ask a dumb question :o
On second thought, I'll serf first ;)
Cool on dvd life . I wonder what the difference is in that technology. I think because a cdrw media is more of a temp one that can be rewritten to often it is less likely to last in the long run. I will have to read some more to verify that though.
Interesting thread though..
Any additional feedback on this subject would be greatl appreciated.
I have decades of work; architectural structural drafts/designs & photos that I want to pass on to family. I've lost all [photo] documnetation of latest bid work to a corrupted floppy. :mad: Id love to know what the best [realistic] media would be to preserve my work on.
Thanks
E.T.
Archmage1
10-14-2003, 01:03 AM
But my understanding is that DVD dominates the competition in every way.
The only drawback to DVD is cost...
If you're willing to buy a DVD-RW, you're in business...
BTW, floppys are even worse than magnetic tape drives for corrupted data...
Suicides-by-Steve
10-14-2003, 07:40 AM
<div class=\"smallfont\">But my understanding is that DVD dominates the competition in every way.
The only drawback to DVD is cost...
If you're willing to buy a DVD-RW, you're in business...
BTW, floppys are even worse than magnetic tape drives for corrupted data...</div>
As soon as DVD-RW drop to around 200, I'll be picking one up... Man, who really needs a HDD bigger than 100 gigs with storage capacities this large?
Friend_Bear
10-14-2003, 08:50 AM
All those stats and figures about CD life expectancy are pointless since all those conditions means literally storing those CD's in perfect storage without usage who is going to do that?
E.T's original question was about bog standard everyday use CD's, even with the best care they will get dirty, the odd scratch etc! So really, the only person who can answer the question is the person with some really old cds that still work perfectly and continue to work, essentially creating a world record lol:p
I went through my old CD's and I have an original diablo which i'm sure comes from around 95? and that is in great condition.
HOWEVER, I've been carefully checking my sims superstar disc during the past 5 days, when I first checked it, it had a slight crack less than an inch, now it has a full inch crack without use and doesn't work at all now :( I guess time to look for a no-cd patch. I'm definately going to be addressing this issue to E.A now.
Friend_Bear
10-14-2003, 09:12 AM
Just checked my fiancee' copy of sims unleashed that she plays often, disc 1 has a very tiny crack in it also!
Are all these problems just from UK manufactured EA cds?
Friend_Bear
10-14-2003, 09:16 AM
<div class=\"smallfont\">Just checked my fiancee' copy of sims unleashed that she plays often, disc 1 has a very tiny crack in it also!
Are all these problems just from UK manufactured EA cds?</div>
I have a copy of Sim City 4 which so far seems to be perfect, no problems with it what-so-ever, maybe the problems are only with a large batch of CD's in the uk that ea used to produce them?
Suicides-by-Steve
10-14-2003, 11:59 AM
<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>
I have a copy of Sim City 4 which so far seems to be perfect, no problems with it what-so-ever, maybe the problems are only with a large batch of CD's in the uk that ea used to produce them?</div>
I'd say so... I have had discs since 98 and they are still going strong...
Most cds are not even used other than for copy protection after the data is on the hard drive. The access to it is much faster off the hd than the cdrom drive. Only some games use it to stream music, ie Vice City etc but if you add the music data needed to the hd you can run it cdless as well. The scratchs come from mishandeling, dropping or a poor cd reader scratching the surface. I have plenty of old cds and will examine some to see if there is any cracking.
Friend_Bear
10-14-2003, 06:11 PM
I got a reply from EA, unfortuntely they want me to contact E.A uk warranty and returns department since all my products were purchased in England, however since i've now immigrated to New Jersey, there isn't anything I can do except *buy* new copies :o :(
<div class=\"smallfont\">I got a reply from EA, unfortuntely they want me to contact E.A uk warranty and returns department since all my products were purchased in England, however since i've now immigrated to New Jersey, there isn't anything I can do except *buy* new copies :o :(</div>
That'll teach ya to hop a bird & fly across the pond. lol.
On a serious note, E.A can do better on customer service. They sale international, they should service international.
Friend_Bear
10-17-2003, 07:02 PM
<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>
That'll teach ya to hop a bird & fly across the pond. lol.
On a serious note, E.A can do better on customer service. They sale international, they should service international.</div>
Blame that on my fiancee, second thoughts better not...I don't fancy a clip round the ear! lol
vBulletin v3.5.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.