The Data Rot Discussion

LWK · Feb 12, 2003

A while ago a topic took place regarding the life span of games and cd's. Chimpmeister and others debated the issue. Data Rot is a term used in that topic, creds to whoever.
Okay let me start by saying I am a Album collector. Includes vinyl, cd's, cassettes etc. So this not only effects me game wise..
I buy my games to play. My worry is how long these carts will last. I personally DO NOT believe that certain things die in 20 years. I have used cassettes released in the late 80's that work just fine.

So.. How the heck long does a cart last? I have many a neo game and not one has changed internally. I think games could last for a seemingly endless time as long as you take care of them. Whats your thoughts on the issue?
I would rather be in denial as I just cant imagine the nightmare loosing all this stuff I have amassed over time, I know many can relate.

aria · Feb 12, 2003

Well, I admit I have no technical background, so maybe this question will seem naive:

How alike are data boards for Atari 2600 to the Neo carts?

Most of those old Atari carts seem to run fine, and if they start to go bad we'll have at least a decade before Neo carts start going batty.

MrMonk · Feb 12, 2003

The mediums the games are written on will probably outlast the consoles that play them, and last longer than we'll even remember.

It's nothing to really fret over.

The Webmiester · Feb 12, 2003

has anyone actually witnessed data rot? does anyone have something realllly old that stopped working unexplainedly, possibly to data rot?

LWK · Feb 12, 2003

MrMonk:
The mediums the games are written on will probably outlast the consoles that play them, and last longer than we'll even remember.

It's nothing to really fret over.

I understand your stance, and I agree. I mean they were saying some of the older cd's had this, but I read up on it and its actually a acid in the cd manual that does this to them. Wish I had the source site on hand.

firebomber · Feb 12, 2003

I've never seen data rot in anything except laser discs. I would imagine as long as CD's don't go through massive and frequent temperature changes that there would be no problem.
Laserdiscs seem to have a big problem with it. It's more or less random, but I've had a couple laser discs that got laser rot and they're only about 13 years old crying I don't know why this affects laserdiscs like that though.

LWK · Feb 12, 2003

firebomber:
I've never seen data rot in anything except laser discs. I would imagine as long as CD's don't go through massive and frequent temperature changes that there would be no problem.
Laserdiscs seem to have a big problem with it. It's more or less random, but I've had a couple laser discs that got laser rot and they're only about 13 years old crying I don't know why this affects laserdiscs like that though.

Somebody here mentions it because the glue loosens. Props to whoever but that would make sense as they are so damn big as opposed to a regular cd.

The Webmiester · Feb 12, 2003

Yeah the LDs are actually two plates glued together, seems to mess things up after a while.

Yodd · Feb 12, 2003

Laserdisc Rot is when the aluminum layer of the Laserdisc begins to oxidize. This changes the reflectivity of the disc. This rot is caused by the improper sealing of the two sides of the disc. Each side is manufactured separately and is glued together.

Typically it can't been seen by the naked on the actual surface of the disc, but when you watch it, there will be generally many colored lines or snow in the picture. Extremely humid environments can speed up this process.

This rot isn't specific to just LD's..it can also occur in CD's and DVD's since they also contain aluminum.. I haven't seen it yet happen to a DVD, but some of the earlier pressed CD's this has happened to.

$hockwave · Feb 12, 2003

broken:
Laserdisc Rot is when the aluminum layer of the Laserdisc begins to oxidize. This changes the reflectivity of the disc. This rot is caused by the improper sealing of the two sides of the disc. Each side is manufactured separately and is glued together.

Typically it can't been seen by the naked on the actual surface of the disc, but when you watch it, there will be generally many colored lines or snow in the picture. Extremely humid environments can speed up this process.

This rot isn't specific to just LD's..it can also occur in CD's and DVD's since they also contain aluminum.. I haven't seen it yet happen to a DVD, but some of the earlier pressed CD's this has happened to.

i always thot cd's and dvd's had platinum and the laserdisc had silver on the bottom or both sides of a laserdisc.

Herzog Drei · Feb 12, 2003

NO,for christs sake! eek!
As broken already said,it's just aluminium-neither Platin nor silver!

The laserdiscs were already expensive enough.... wink

And platin-DVD's would hardly be affordable at all...

But if you are a popstar and sell enough CD's,THEN you might get your precious disc!

CraigPilecky · Feb 12, 2003

Data rot = BS lie

Ive got over 350 games, Intelevison, 2600 all the way up through Xbox. All of them that I bought NEW work fine. All of them. Some of the ones I bought used dont work perfectly, but who knows how they where stored and treated.

Take care of your games and they last forever basically.

Herzog Drei · Feb 12, 2003

As for the games-beside the memory-batterys for the SNES/GENESIS games there hardly can be any trouble-exept you throw your games into the water or put them on a stove.

I am rather less worried about the storage medium of the games themselfes,rather about the hardware they are running on!

The cart-based consoles should stand the tides of time rather well,but i fear for the ones with CD-disc-drives!

My Sega CD,3DO,Jag CD,Saturn,PS,DC,and all the current ones....how long will THEY last?

crying

TheBigBB · Feb 12, 2003

I won't be worried until I hear cases of games actually going bad. Any game... I've never heard of it! Some people will cite arcade boards, but those are a little different I think. Those get treated like shit usually. Some arcade board that was running 10 years nonstop then thrown bare into a storage pile for a while and then stops working... That won't be enough. I want multiple cases of home carts just ceasing to work.

firebomber · Feb 12, 2003

broken:
Laserdisc Rot is when the aluminum layer of the Laserdisc begins to oxidize. This changes the reflectivity of the disc. This rot is caused by the improper sealing of the two sides of the disc. Each side is manufactured separately and is glued together.

Thanks for clearing that up. I knew that it had to do with the metal oxidizing, but I never understood how that would happen.
I don't have many LDs, but it still sucks knowing that they could go to shit at any time. At least the two of mine that have rot are easily replacable on dvd now.

Yodd · Feb 12, 2003

<a href="http://laserdiscs.discdude.net/rotlist.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a website that lists known LD's that suffer from rot. Anyone that says its bullshit should be smacked, cause it is very real.

TheBigBB · Feb 12, 2003

broken:
<a href="http://laserdiscs.discdude.net/rotlist.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a website that lists known LD's that suffer from rot. Anyone that says its bullshit should be smacked, cause it is very real.

Well what about other things? I'm more concerned about carts...

Yodd · Feb 13, 2003

dmhawkmoon:
Well what about other things? I'm more concerned about carts...

I don't think there is anything to worry about. As long as the edge connectors don't corrode or oxidize or anything (and that can be cleaned up with some care), I think they will be fine.

Keep the carts safe and away from the elements, and I would imagine they would last a lifetime.

mog · Feb 13, 2003

Lord Wolfgang Krauser:

firebomber:
I've never seen data rot in anything except laser discs. I would imagine as long as CD's don't go through massive and frequent temperature changes that there would be no problem.
Laserdiscs seem to have a big problem with it. It's more or less random, but I've had a couple laser discs that got laser rot and they're only about 13 years old crying I don't know why this affects laserdiscs like that though.

Click to expand...

Somebody here mentions it because the glue loosens. Props to whoever but that would make sense as they are so damn big as opposed to a regular cd.

Those damn Laser Discs also flow faster than glass
very_ang

TheBigBB · Feb 13, 2003

broken:

dmhawkmoon:
Well what about other things? I'm more concerned about carts...

Click to expand...

I don't think there is anything to worry about. As long as the edge connectors don't corrode or oxidize or anything (and that can be cleaned up with some care), I think they will be fine.

Keep the carts safe and away from the elements, and I would imagine they would last a lifetime.

Yeah, I agree, that's what I meant. I'm more concerned about them. CDs/DVDs second... Do you think those will rot like laserdiscs?

RabbitTroop · Feb 13, 2003

This old discussion again huh... There is a ton of info in that last post in Tech support, I suggest we revive that, as it is pointless to start this discussion all over again. As for bit rot, it is real... very real,

-Nick

aria · Feb 13, 2003

nruva:
This old discussion again huh... There is a ton of info in that last post in Tech support, I suggest we revive that, as it is pointless to start this discussion all over again. As for bit rot, it is real... very real,

Thanks to the new, working search feature, all you need is a few moments:

<a href="http://www.neo-geo.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=003154#000021" target="_blank">WHAMMO!!!</a>

The original thread on "bit rot" in all its glory. Feel free to brush up there and bring up new issues you feel were not adequately addressed.

JHendrix · Feb 13, 2003

The ROMZ in the carts will probably outlast you if you take care of them (don't wet the cart, etc).

Believe me your shit won't go bad for many many years. Chips made way back when are still very functional today. Believe me.

Peace

JHendrix

TheBigBB · Feb 13, 2003

Well, the day that my carts go bad is the day that I become a teh romz whore!

RabbitTroop · Feb 13, 2003

dmhawkmoon:
Well, the day that my carts go bad is the day that I become a teh romz whore!

Good to start stock piling know... TEH ROMZ OWNZ JU MANG!

<img src="http://www.16-bitglorydays.com/temp/tehromz.jpg" alt=" - " />

-Nick

The Data Rot Discussion

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