[Flerdourdyged]

The problem appears to be worse in writable DVDs. Factory made ones don't seem to rot as quickly.

I think the format essentially is flawed. Remember the claim that CDs would supply perfect sound forever? Absolute tosh. I've got CDs less than 10 years old and if you look at the surface, they're clearly corroding and the sound quality is affected because of it. And that's treating them well. Leave them out by mistake or because you're in a hurry at your peril!

It would be worth researching for sure...who makes the longest life disks..I would want my OS on quality for sure...I keep my important ones in ziplock bags..plus it helps me keep em separate as well

[bebeacc]

I agree and that is what I said..



Again, that is what I told her last night but she wanted to use USB..

I was agreeing with you on the choice of size.

I didnt see the part about the USB.

[jackie Obrian]

OK mine took 3 DVDs for the Windows 7 alone and one for the actual Laptop Options separately..

Hence 4 DVD's..

If we go by what we discussed last night that's a grand total of 4 X 4.7 GB (single-sided, single-layer – common) ..

I think the 8 GB USB Drive might not do and certainly your two DVD's will not be enough if you go by what mine took for Windows 7 Home Premium Edition..

Ease wise the DVD-R's are better protection as once written they usually can be stored and are more easily used to boot up from.

That said, you do what you think best.. It's after all your decision..

Took 5 for my niece{toshiba} ...all werent just the OS though..there were apps,drivers, and a recovery environment disk

[epPtsDno]

A CD and DVD cannot corrode but they can degrade.

If it's a stamped CD/DVD like a store bought disk, the information is physically stamped into the plastic by a metal negative and protected by another layer of plastic. Unless you physically damage these disks, they should last a very long time.
Disks that you burn do not have physical ridges like store bought/stamped ones, they have a chemical between two layers of plastic that reacts to laser light. This chemical can break down under certain circumstances and appear to be corroded. This will result in permanent data loss.

But a store bought disk is based on a completely different manufacturing process than the ones you burn.

Thanks I've never been 100% sure on what it is that actually happens to the surface of a disk. That makes perfect sense. Pre-recorded disks do have a far longer life.

It would be worth researching for sure...who makes the longest life disks..I would want my OS on quality for sure...I keep my important ones in ziplock bags..plus it helps me keep em separate as well

I have one of those folio albums with a zip lock too, but I'm sure can't be great for the disk surfaces.

Here's a couple of threads from other forums, including some data:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/forums/experi...ty-t20161.html
http://www.cdrinfo.com/forum/tm.asp?m=109967

[bonyclayd]

My computer is prompting me to use a flash drive to copy Windows 7 on and I just need to know which Flash Drive I should get. DO I go with the 8gb or the 32gb?

Depends on what you are copying

[Marat]

I have one of those folio albums with a zip lock too, but I'm sure can't be great for the disk surfaces.

Here's a couple of threads from other forums, including some data:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/forums/experi...ty-t20161.html
http://www.cdrinfo.com/forum/tm.asp?m=109967

Thanks ..some good information ....I learn something everyday