CD-RW Life

[JHZR2]

I have a bunch of unused 4x CD-RW discs, Sony made. Says (c) 2002, so they are from after that, but when - I dont know.

Tried to use one, do the whole erase/format/write thing, and I kept getting errors. Went to burn a CD and it worked right away.

Curious if CD-RWs have given people issues for being too old, or if they have a known lifetime.

 

[Colt45ws]

I'd guess about 10 years. Should be able to read them once written much longer than that though.

 

[tommygunn]

Optical media is not a good place to store date long term due to bit rot. I would go find some new disc and make sure you back them up on and off site.

 

[dparm]

It will depend on the composition of the disc. Most companies don't disclose this to you.

CD-Rs actually have shorter lifespans than CD-RWs, typically. The CD-RW uses special metals instead of dyes. I have heard 10 years is the typical lifespan for most CD-R discs. There are special archival quality ones that last longer.

I would trash them.

 

[KeithS_NW_Ohio]

Can your burner burn a CDR-W at 4x.
Mine will only go down to 10x for a CDR-W

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: KeithS_NW_Ohio
Can your burner burn a CDR-W at 4x.
Mine will only go down to 10x for a CDR-W


Interesting. It offered to do the burn at 4x, but there were no other options (thought they would give me slower stuff like 1x, 2x).