Can someone give me an idea how long a burner will last, I just got a new computer and started backing up my dvds, have done about 50 and was wondering how long I can keep this up. Thanks for all ya'lls help I have learned a bunch on this site. Hope one day I can be a help to someone...........
I've been doing this now for about a year and half and i'm up to 633. It hasn't slowed down yet. Keep the drive updated with firmware update and treat it right. Clean it, dust it, maintain it. Treat it (and the rest of the computer) like a car: you need proper maintenance for it to operate properly. Besides, once a year or two passes, there will be a better drive out there for dirt cheap. You can then upgrade (I just did), even though technically it's not necessary.
Thanks alot, could you explain alittle more on the mantaince. I have know idea what to do other than maybe run my dvd cleaning disc in the buner
I agree with Mr_Pink, the problem is you really never know! Could be today or 5 years from now?? For starters use good media and keep the drives laser lens as clean as possible. Also, try to avoid reading as much as possible, just write if you can?? I usually read a disk from my dvd-rom drive the write to dvd burner but that's just me. Try not to think of failure right now, just enjoy the drive for the time being.. Like Mr_Pink just said, dvd burners are dirt cheap and by the time the drive fails it will be time to upgrade anyways...happy burning!!
You could use those CD lens cleaner. It has worked several times for me. If you have a notebook, though, don't use them. In very bright block-style letters it tells you to not use the item in a notebook. Open up the tower and clean out all the dust. That always helps! Find your relevant firmware upgrade page, bookmark it, and download it whenever a new one is available. And just take care of it. Don't have an infant brother try and balance himself on the tray of the drive; don't bounce a basketball on it. Seriously, common sense, plus the quality media, firmware, cleanliness will equal a healthy drive.
Don't smoke in the same room as your computer ... that crap is bad for both you and your drives ... I have a Litey that has approx 2500 burns on it ... I only use it for KProbe now ...
i had 6000 plus burns on a Plextor (PX-712A) i had so you have a long way to go as long as its a quality drive.
:'( My sony DRU-710A just died a week ago after 2000+ rips and burns, that really sux,After doing several test an opening the drive I found out the lens werent reading media correctly so I think the have worn out, well the thing is I really did never cleaned the lens or did any type of manteinance, but I treated the drive really well, Im know looking for something that can last more than my sony (in this case rebranded liteon), I dont wanna look at my self buying a new drive in a year and a half, so Im looking for something like a Plextor.
Worn out at only 2000 burns? That's not even my break-in period with my benqs! LOL But I do something different. I don't rip with my benqs,unless it's on my single drive pc. Ripping puts the most wear and tear on a drive. It's better to have another burner or dvd-rom drive to do the ripping,if you have room for it in your tower/case. I don't run hard cleaning discs through any of my dvd drives,regardless of dvd-rom/dvd-rw/or stand alone player. Keep those discs clean.Same with the drive. A little compressed air in that drive shouldn't hurt anything. Plextor: The px series of 112-116 are rated among the finest burners in the world. They also have a budget burner called the PX-740a. This drive is a rebadged benq 1640 and runs about $60-$70 at newegg.com. I've got 3 benqs. 2 of the 1620s and a 1640. All superb. My original 1620 is over a year and a half old with over 3000+ backups,and 300+ on the fly! Success rate of over 99.9%+.100% on the fly backups! About 1 coaster out of 400-500 backups.It's been a while since I had one, LOL Lite-ons are excellent drives. All 3 brand names I listed all have booktyping capability. That's the biggest asset to these drives. I've got a benq 1650 ordered from up in canada,and I am expecting the same Benq quality from it!
