Posted by Bernie Dwyer on 11/16/89 11:40

Clark Zahn wrote:
>
<snippety>
>
> I guess if something is important enough one should regularly refresh
> your copies. That is what computer centers do with their backups.

Exactly - pull the discs out every six months and test them, then make
new copies every two years.
>
> I wonder how long an unused hard drive would last? They are so cheap
> nowadays that one could put all of your cherished videos on a big HD and
> store it in a secure cabinet.
>
> Clark

Hard drives DON'T like sitting around doing nothing. Google for
"stiction". They're so cheap these days - plug it into your computer as
a secondary drive, and replace it every couple of years. Seagate drives
come with 5-year warranties now - not that they guarantee to replace
your files if a drive fails, but it's a mark of their confidence that
the drive will last a long time. Also, keeping the drives cool will help
extend their useful lives - try to make sure that they sit in a flow of
fresh (relatively) cool air.

--

Bernie Dwyer
There are no 'z' in my email address

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