CD-RW discs degrading with <50 cycles on them

X-No-Archive: Yes

They're supposed to last about 1,000 times, but they don't last 5%
that in my experience.

I only use CD-RW in mastering mode (no packet write) and I have
realized that they start degrading after about 10 uses. It continues
to write fine and you have no way of knowing. The symptom of failing
discs is reading difficulty. The read back drive slows down to 4 or
8x and when you test for error rate using Nero CD speed's error check,
there's a significant amount of error. Sometimes the worn out disc
becomes so hard to read and freezes up the CD-ROM drive to the point
of requiring rebooting to get the disc out.

I've had CMC made RW media go bad in less than ten cycles in a generic
drive but even a Verbatim/Mitsubishi made media haven't survived more
than 30 cycles or so in a Plextor drive before having detrimental
effect on readability or error rates.

What's the deal with this?

~Dude17~ wrote:

X-No-Archive: Yes

They're supposed to last about 1,000 times, but they don't last 5%
that in my experience.

So say the manufacturers - and we all know that I manufacturer wouldn't
lie. No doubt, they have data showing that under some conditions they
have achieved 1000 erase cycles, but the data are not public and their
relevance to the real world is questionable.

I only use CD-RW in mastering mode (no packet write) and I have
realized that they start degrading after about 10 uses. It continues
to write fine and you have no way of knowing.

Sure you do. Just count errors, particular those recoverable with ECC
and rereading. Slow reading is evidence that the errors have gone up,
but counting is preferable.

What's the deal with this?

The deal is that erasable media are fine for test but chancy for serious
use. You don't even seem to have encountered the forgetful discs. Try
mastering an erasable and checking its error count. Let it sit for six
months and check again. Spontaneous generation at work! More errors
after doing nothing than before. (Guess what happens if you let it sit
even longer.)

Mike
--

http://www.mrichter.com/

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm...mindspring.com
(Messages 10, 12 -- 34, 54 -- 69)

( No pipsqueaks have been able to prove ANY of the above is a LIBEL )
( -- despite Mikey claimed to have proof of misquotes !! )
'

~Dude17~ wrote:

They're supposed to last about 1,000 times, but they don't last 5%
that in my experience.

I only use CD-RW in mastering mode (no packet write) and I have
realized that they start degrading after about 10 uses. It continues
to write fine and you have no way of knowing. The symptom of failing
discs is reading difficulty. The read back drive slows down to 4 or
8x and when you test for error rate using Nero CD speed's error check,
there's a significant amount of error. Sometimes the worn out disc
becomes so hard to read and freezes up the CD-ROM drive to the point
of requiring rebooting to get the disc out.

I've had CMC made RW media go bad in less than ten cycles in a generic
drive but even a Verbatim/Mitsubishi made media haven't survived more
than 30 cycles or so in a Plextor drive before having detrimental
effect on readability or error rates.

What's the deal with this?

What are you smoking?

BTW, Mike Richter has "extensive" experience - that has no body of
experience:

======================
From: Mike Richter (Lying Scum)
Date: 11/28/02

I have had extensive experience with erasable media.

======================
From: Mike Richter (Slimy Scum)
Date: 5/12/04

the fragility of erasables means that I use them only for test,
so I don't have a body of experience to report.
======================

--------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm...mindspring.com
(Messages 10, 12 -- 34, 54 -- 69)

( No pipsqueaks have been able to prove ANY of the above is a LIBEL )
( -- despite Mikey claimed to have proof of misquotes !! )
'

Mike Richter (Friggin ****) splattered:

They're supposed to last about 1,000 times, but they don't last 5%
that in my experience.

So say the manufacturers - and we all know that I manufacturer wouldn't
lie. No doubt, they have data showing that under some conditions they
have achieved 1000 erase cycles,

but the data are not public and their
relevance to the real world is questionable.

How do you know that *without* reading, Mikey?

Anyhow, is this you, Mikey?

I do not comment on what I don't know.
I only write about what I know
I don't write about what I don't know


What's the deal with this?

The deal is that erasable media are fine for test but chancy for serious
use. You don't even seem to have encountered the forgetful discs. Try
mastering an erasable and checking its error count. Let it sit for six
months and check again. Spontaneous generation at work! More errors
after doing nothing than before. (Guess what happens if you let it sit
even longer.)

No doubt those wise words were all gleaned from your "extensive"
experience - that has no body of experience:

======================
From: Mike Richter (Lying Scum)
Date: 11/28/02

I have had extensive experience with erasable media.

======================
From: Mike Richter (Slimy Scum)
Date: 5/12/04

the fragility of erasables means that I use them only for test,
so I don't have a body of experience to report.
======================

--------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------