How long does the information remain on CDs and DVDs?
If you’ve used a computer or laptop that had a CD-ROM in the last decade or two, you probably have dozens of different CDs and DVDs. The information on these disks is waiting for you to transfer them to a reliable source and medium. Because the information on CD and DVD is not going to stay the same forever. They have recently realized that information on CDs and DVDs, like any other physical media, including USB, can be lost. Commercially produced discs are more resistant to such damage, but home-burned CDs and DVDs usually fall victim to data loss. The only care you can take of your data stored on your CDs and DVDs is to copy and transfer them to another location.
Major changes in the world of information and how to store them
Since the first fast electronic memory was built in 1947 at the University of Manchester until today, the world of information storage has changed a lot. From cassettes and floppies to CDs, DVDs, and flash drives, all of them have helped us store information at different times. Today, with the advancement of technology and the updating of information storage methods, the number of people who use CDs and DVDs has reached the lowest possible level. Today, flash drives, external hard drives and cloud and virtual memories have replaced old CDs and DVDs.
Surely, for all of us, the question has arisen, how long will the information remain on CDs and DVDs? Is this information eternal or will it be lost one day? The answer to this question is simple: anything that has a physical structure is vulnerable and will be destroyed one day. The lifespan of such appliances depends on everything, including environmental factors, usage, quality of parts and construction.
Longevity of information on CD and DVD and other storage media
Floppy disk
Predicting the lifespan of floppy disks is difficult and impossible. Because some of them did not work and were not healthy even after being opened and purchased. Some manufacturers claimed that floppy disks have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. while others increased this number to 10 and 20. Since floppy disks are made of magnets, they are expected to last between ten and twenty years, but this depends on their use and quality.
CDs and DVDs
This type of media is similar to floppy disks and is expected to last between 2 and 5 years. As a result, the information on CDs and DVDs is not that reliable. This is while CDs and DVDs without information can last up to ten years. Some manufacturers of these media claim that CDs and DVDs can be used for up to 25 years, which is an unprecedented claim. Since just a single scratch on the surface of these media can cause information to be lost, these figures will be out of reach.
Flash memory or USB
According to the claims of their manufacturers, flash memories should last up to 10 years, but this figure is unbelievable for users. Because USBs usually get lost, fail after a while or need to be formatted. Because flash drives have a small size and are connected to all kinds of devices, they are more useful. As a result, their reasonable lifespan can be predicted between 3 and 7 years.
What is the best way to store information?
It is still not possible to introduce a reliable way and medium to preserve and store information. Obviously, information on CDs and DVDs and such are not reliable and the possibility of losing them is high. Lion Tech suggests that you always back up your critical information. Also, invest in information recovery methods so that you can return it in case of losing important data.
How do you store your information?