I heard that burnt CDs and DVDs do not last that long, maybe 5 yrs, and magnetic tapes last 100, is that true?
471398
Store-bought CDs are stamped, CD-Rs use a type of dye so they don't last as long.  But, if you keep them away from heat and direct sunlight they should last way more than 5 yrs.
957833
This is what is now know as a "coaster" since it's best just to use it as that now anyways. Either it got messed up in the burning process (you should ALWAYS manually check to see if files are accessible on it instead of relying on software saying it burned successfuly BEFORE deleting your files off your hard drive), bad media or any number of different things.\n\nSometimes, rarely, you just need to restart your computer because another application won't let go of using information from it. The media can be fixed by what brand and model you get. You should check online for reviews of certain brands and model of CD-R's. They are not all equally built the same. My Imation model did much better than Memorex (a better know company). \n\nThen again, CD-R's are only guaranteed to last around 10 years. Since not all makes and models are the same, you can't always get as much lifetime as you'd think. CD's already burned (music cd that you buy at a store) versus CD-R and you'll know the pre-burned one will have a shelf life of 100 years. This is because of the process to burn it. You're burning it on the outside for the most part and music cd's, cd-roms, etc are burned THEN pressed together. I've lost data to faulty brands in the past.\n\nAlso, your cd-rom drive could need to be updated. Check for firmware updates.\n\nIf you REALLY have critical data on that disc that you MUST need, there are specialists that can get it off for you. However, it's expensive.\n\nTry a different cd-rom. Sometimes only CD-RW drives will read certain formatted cd-r's.\n\nA trick that I've done before but rarely works is insert it into another cd-rom and use another disc to burn it again from the failed copy. It's not guaranteed but it's worth a shot.\n\nLike I said, there could be any number of reasons and I just listed a few, not all. More than likely though, 99.99% of the time, it's a coaster and you can't use it. Should always check to see if it's on there BEFORE deleting your files. To reduce bad burns, go to a slower setting on burning it. Instead of 52X, try 48X and go lower if it need be. A certain brand of DVD-R that I've had before was rated for 16X, yet to get successful burns, I had to use the 4X setting. Slower but at least it's not failed.
998603
i'm afraid you've lost it already.........floppy disk are not so reliable in terms of data storage....they can be easily damaged....sensitive to temperature...and other electromagnetic elements...
830071
Magnetic can be erased, damaged or worn out. But it can also be very fast.  Hard drives are magnetic.\n\nOptical can be written only once(in most cases) scratched, improperly burned or lost, but they are portable, cheap and easy to mail.\n\nSolid state is very small, will not wear out from excessive use and is relatively durable.
183855
Depends on the brand.  Check the warranty.  Also you get what you pay for.  Electronics in the DVD field are improving every day.  Six weeks from now there could be something new in this field.  Go to a reputable dealer and perhaps pay a bit more for the equipment you need rather than a 'cheepie'.
794132
It depends. Some for only days...others for years.   Most keep them for months.  You'd have to check with your particular store you're interested in.  If you need tape pulled for a court case, just remember you'll have to get it subpoenaed...and you had better do it quickly so that they don't get rid of it.
230693
Yes. Probably in the next 5 - 10 yrs. \n\nIf you are extremely considerate of saving them, then spend some money and convert them to DVD. \n\nIf not, then keep them as VHS Cassettes, they'll be vintage products for future, just like the old 70's records !\nIt'll be fun sharing them with your grandkids !
442980
The unit does have a different head for CD so it is possible for one to go bad and the other stay working.\n\nIf you won't read or write and you have tried different media my guess is your CD head is bad. The writers are a throw away item now. They are so cheap you don't want to fix them.
1095860
They really should not have been called DVD's Digital Video Disks, because everyone incorrectly thinks it will only store Video. Just as a CD is not only for music.\nAs others have said the DVD holds 4.7GB and a CD holds 650MB - 700MB.\n(MB = Millions of Bytes. GB = Billions of Bytes)\nWhen it comes to your computer ANY data can be stored on eather disk. That data can be Movies, Music, Photos, E-mails, Letters you have typed, Programs you have downloaded, or as I said ANY data.\nSo in this case a DVD just holds more, MUCH more, data than a CD.
44267
Those things work by filling in the scratches with a wax like substance.  Ive heard bad things about them.  Ive found that the best way to repair a scratched cd or dvd is by taking it to my local Hollywood Video.  They have a machine that takes of the entire first layer of the disc.  They charge me $2 per disc or $1 if its more than 5.  Then, make a copy. Hope that helps
911433
Good day. Whew! lol Yeah if u keep burning and burning yeah the device may die especially if u are burning Cds to fast. How long u had the cd burner? if a long time, then it died most likely. Happens a lot u wudnt believe. Get a new one. Its cheap & simple to replace. Laterz
971381
when burning DVDs or CDs, you need to have enough speed from your CPU and available memory to handle the data without interruption.\nturn off other programs, don't be doing IM, listening to music, downloading, etc etc etc while burning.\nmany times you can also adjust the burn speed.\nnormally a DVD is set to burn at it's fastest possible speed by default.\nMany times if you turn down the record speed a notch or 2, it will work.\nYou also have to have blank DVDs that are rated for the speed AND protocol that you are using.\nSome burners will take just about any blank, others want specific types, like DVD+ or DVD-.\nCheck your burner's documentation.
447308
Most of the flash disks nowadays are very reliable in the sense that they dare to give 5 years warranty. So for your case, if the damage was not caused by your mishandling, just check with the shop you bought the thing to see whether can make a warranty claim.
322611
Thats not true. However you might have heard that playing a movie directly from an external USB flash-memory based drive too often can reduce the life of the device. With external hard drive, you're safe.
1058702
Aint sure what you are trying to burn but I can tell you I have had many failures with bargain basement off brand blanks! I purchased a 50 pack of staples cds once and 30 percent of them failed the burn process. I finally quit being cheap and now buy only the top shelf cd and dvd blanks. Your money ahead in the end! It also depends on the media type. Some burners wont work with DVD+R while others will.CD-R and DVD-R seem to give best results.
474270
no they are burnt diferantly and compressed difrently as well as the lazer and coding formats there differant to. dvd burners are getting cheeper every day though you probly need more ram mem for geting as dvd burner
922631
It seems that if you take care of them they should retain their data for a good long while (wikipedia says 100 years); however, the way most people handle and store them they will only last for a couple of years.\n\nCheck out the wikipedia article on CD-Rs and their lifespans:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-R#Optimal_storage_conditions_and_expected_lifespan\n\nThis guy also has some interesting information on the subject:\nhttp://www.practicalpc.co.uk/computing/storage/cdrlifespan.htm