Older CD-R Discs - Unrecoverable Read Error?

Over the past 10 years I have archived music and photos burning them on to CD-R discs. The discs were fine two years ago; however when I recently tried to read and copy data I discovered some of the discs have degraded to the point they are corrupted and won't read.

Using three different DVD+/-RW drives on two PCs (1 XP, 1 Win7), none will show the contents of the discs. Using Nero 7, I attempted to copy one of the discs. At about 54:00 into the disc, "Unrecoverable Read Errors" started logging in Nero. After 24 hours Nero was still in the process of trying to copy it and had only advanced 30 seconds into the disc's content! All the discs were stored properly (jewel cases in a climate-controlled room).

I'm not expecting to recover all the data; however I am wondering if there is a rescue program that will allow these CDs to load so I can view and copy the uncorrupted parts. The Nero copy I aborted after 24 hours actually has many of the uncorrupted files on it in good condition - I just want a faster way to do this without burning up my drives in the process.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

P.S. If you have older CDs or DVDs you've burned with important data, copy them onto newer CD/DVD media and/or to a backup hard drive. The discs involved in my issue are only 6-8 years old!

 

Hey gman, take a look at this --> http://www.recoverytoolbox.com/cd.html


As for the cd degrading, where they "archive quality" as i dont use anything else to store important data myself.

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I use these discs but i get hem from a local supplier
http://www.centurybusinesssolutions.com/archival-quality-cd-r-dvd-r-gold/


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