Thanks for looking at my first post. I did check the search function, but didn't see anything related exactly to my issue. I have been using the following to back up my discs: DVD Shrink 3.2 Nero 7 Ultimate Vista Ultimate (watching movies through Windows Media Center) TSSTcorp SH-S183L ATA drive media either Verbatim DVD+R or Memorex DVD+/-R but always Lightscribe. I see not a lot of Lightscribe usage on the forum, but I like a label and one that doesn't jam up like some paper labels. So here's what seems to happen. The discs code and burn fine. I usually at least will fast-forward through to make sure the complete movie is there. I have been burning at 8X speed, although I see that a slower speed is recommended. But anyway, often I find that a movie that has played OK in the past will no longer play later when I want it. Interestingly, they play till about 1 hr and 20, and then freeze up with a read error message. Often, at this point, the computer will lock up also. I have recently been verifying data and I think this helps, but it may be too early to tell as this problem occurs over time. I have several theories and maybe someone can help me. 1) Does the Lightscribe on the other side of the disc "burn through" or damage the media side in some way? Is this why not a lot of people use it? 2) Is my use of the Lightscribe to burn the image wearing out my laser? Well, yeah, I am sure, but does this explain my problem? 3) Does the DVD itself degrade over time? 4) Is the media I am using crapola? As far as some of these theories, take a look at this picture. This is a typical disc that no longer works. See the edge and how it looks faded, blue, abnormal? I don't think this was here when I burned it. Please let me know what you think. You guys know how much time and work goes into backing up your stuff, so I am sure you can appreciate my frustration. All help is appreciated.
Hi, This is a question for JoeRyan, the resident guru on media and data storage, here at afterdawn. Jo
@manic69 I would STOP using the Memorex Media. Also Burn at 1/2 the Rated Seed of the Blank Media. In Shrink Set the Target Area to 4300mb. Never, Never Ever Use Paper Labels. I Also Have an LS Drive But Don't Use it Because I find that the Labels are Usually too Light For me to Read,and it Could be My Imagination But I Think They Fade after a Time. It Takes Sooo Long to print, And The Discs are more Expensive than Non-LightScribe Disc. I Use An Epson Stylus R300 Printer to label All my Disc. With This I Get Color. And One other thing I Only Use -Rs
Is it possible that you left the disc laying, upside down, on a table, or something? I ask this because, judging by your picture, it looks like that edge may have been left exposed to the light, perhaps with another disc laying on top of it. Considering that the laser just burns tiny black dots into the film on the disc, even a short amount of exposure to any light can cause those dots to begin to fade, which would result in a loss of data. Of course, this may not be the case, in this instance, but it's something to keep in mind. I've never used LightScribe (too gimmicky for my tastes), so I can't comment on that. Berryone made a good suggestion about not burning all the way to the edge. I limit my discs to 4200MB, for this very same reason.
Thanks for the suggestions! I don't think its the light fading the disc...I have several with this pattern. I do keep my discs near sunlight, but not in direct sunlight though. I will try the target size limit and DVD-R's of a different brand. Thanks again.
Answers to your questions: 1) The LightScribe coating is on the upper surface of the disc. The laser light changes the coating from light to dark, but it won't damage the medium in any way. Most people don't use LightScribe because the discs cost more, it takes more time to make a label, the label is only two-color, and it ties up the drive. 2) Making a LightScribe label does use the laser's power and will wear out a diode sooner than using it just for recording. 3) All DVD-/+R discs degrade over time. The time limit for a good quality recording, however, ought to last at least 20 years as long as the disc remains in good physical condition. 4) The media you are using are both made by CMC, which as more experience producing LightScribe discs than any other factory. From the picture it looks as though there is a darker edge on one side of the disc than on the other. That is unusual and troubling. Without looking at the disc or checking it under a microscope, it is hard to tell what caused it; but whatever the cause, if it is darker on one edge than another, it is most likely the reason that you are getting errors. The only way LightScribe could affect the disc is if the coating lifted an edge when it cured. This happened in the early days of printable discs when some coatings acted like paper labels in that they lifted an edge when they dried. I doubt that the coating is the problem, but it's possible. In my testing of Toshiba drives, they have not worked well with many discs; but that was some time ago when new discs and speeds were introduced regularly. I don't know what the situation is today with Toshiba drives. Reducing the recording speed to 4X might help; but since the discs are rated at 16X, 8X speed ought to be sufficient. If the darkness is on one side of the disc edge, the problem is more likely a disc problem than one related to the drive. It is very hard to diagnose the cause based on just the picture. The symptoms are identical to those of an edge problem caused by mechanical change to the flatness of the disc ("tilt"), but I can't say for sure without seeing a disc in person. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Thanks for the replies. The disc looked OK right after it was burned, as far as I can recall. I have other discs that look the same way now, but not sure for how long. I have reduced the target size to 4300 and am burning at 4X. So far ok, but may be too soon to tell. JoeRyan, you crack me up. You've offered tremendous insight, then apologize for not being able to tell me more. Thanks! I do appreciate it...
