How to store backup DVDs so they STAY readable?

Dear Anyone.

I'm backing up data onto DVDs. I'm burning them with CD Burner XP. They seem to burn OK, I've got data verification on and they verify OK - then if I need to use them a few weeks later they're all being read with huge difficulty, if at all.

I'm storing the DVDs in little plastic pockets and in a dark drawer to keep them away from unnecessary light. Why aren't they reading back? Is it a writer problem (but then they're verifying OK every time I write to them in the first place) or what is it? I mean, if you can't rely on DVDs to hold data securely, does that mean you have to keep buying and filling up expensive hard drives?

Yours puzzledly

ulrichburke.

Comp Specs (thanks Belarc!)

Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States) Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.20 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
256 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. GA-M51GM-S2G
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. F5 07/17/2006
Drives Memory Modules c,d
320.06 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
126.00 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

Optiarc DVD RW AD-7200A [CD-ROM drive]

SAMSUNG HD322HJ [Hard drive] (320.07 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 31534137314a534c304239313531202020202020, SMART Status: Healthy 1984 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' is Empty
Slot 'A1' has 1024 MB
Slot 'A2' is Empty
Slot 'A3' has 1024 MB
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 320.06 GB 126.00 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Administrator 6/28/2010 1:12:30 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Guest never
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:
XPrint 4920/4925 PostScript on FILE:
Controllers Display
Primary IDE Channel [Controller] (3x)
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] (3x)
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller (3x) NVIDIA GeForce 6100 [Display adapter]
HP MX70 [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n THTBX01649, December 2000)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller M-Audio Delta Audiophile
Virus Protection [Back to Top] new Group Policies
360?? Version 1.1.0.1093
Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
Realtime File Scanning On
avast! Antivirus Version 5.0.83886625
Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
Realtime File Scanning On
None discovered
Communications Other Devices

1394 Net Adapter
SpeedTouch USB ADSL PPP
TAP-Win32 Adapter V9
Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
USB Human Interface Device
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
HID-compliant mouse
SpeedTouch 330 ADSL Modem
USB Root Hub (2x)

 

The way you are storing them has nothing to do with your problem, I dont believe you had a good burn in the first place or your reader is going south. Try burning something for a test, dont assume they are ok, put back in burner and see if they can be read. ed

 

You can try to burn at the lowest speed and see if that makes any difference but it does sound like the laser in the burner has weakened over time.

DVD burners (IDE or SATA interfaces) are $20-$25 at Newegg.com if you want to replace it.

Sam