RAM - Random Access Memories - Long term data storage on CD or DVD

RSS Bot · June 19, 2006

Like most of us, or at least most of us should do. I make data backups

on CD. Which range from everything from documents I written, roms, even

mp3 files. I know this can be a touchly subject especially when someone

has enough nerve to post this in the computer section, that is why I am

posting this only in my blog. Some say all data should be stored on HDD,

while others say either flash drives as they are the most stable. But

certianly no the cheapest. That just leaves CDs and DVDs as I found out

through other sources roughly 1% can go bad over time. Even if stored

properly. I.E. In a case standing on edge, never laid flat unless you

need to access them. Also even temps and humidity seem to be a must.

It seems optical data likes the same as everybody. If it too hot and

humid for you or too cold it's the same for the optical media.

But getting back, I have rougly 200 CDs I burned myself. In most cases

I have no other back up. My HDD is far to small and given some problems

I had in the past I rather keep an external storage option and mine is

CDs. I use my flash drives for smaller files.

So why this post and why when it has been so heavily covered within

the boards themselves. Long term storage and what to watch out for to

protect your backed up data. As I noticed only recently look for what

appear to be dried water stains or fingerprints that can not be wiped

off with a soft cloth or even washed off with soap and water. This to

my dismay is clear signs of the disc delaminating, but does this mean

to the point of losing any data? That as I found out when recently

when I checked my own discs can go either way. I thought my computer

was going to perminantly freeze as I tried to access data from a

problem disc. I can not reccomend strong enough to check all discs

under a strong light and if you see such signs that you can not simply

clean away. If the problem area is on a part of the disc where you

have data. You SHOULD see if you can access it from your computer.

But either way it goes you should make copies right away. Even

if this means tranfering off all the data onto your HDD and burning

another copy from that. This problem only appeared in 1% of my discs,

all of them 2years old or older, and by the way I use name brand discs.

If say you use cheap or off brand discs you could actually lose your

data faster. How fast, try weeks instead of years.

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