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General discussion

Floppy disks as storage

Mar 10, 2005 8:46AM PST

I have a 10yearold desktop (a 386 under DOS 6) and have been backing up documents by converting them to ASCII and putting them on floppies for the eventuality of having to get a new desktop one day. I realize this is risky but could someone tell me 1)what is the life expectancy of floppies? 2)how reliable are they for ASCII text (assuming what's on the floppy is irrelevant), and 3)what is the best way to store floppies?
Thanks for your help.

Discussion is locked

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Floppies
Mar 11, 2005 8:48AM PST

I have some that are over 10 years old and still work. I have some that are much newer and have died. I have some that will no longer format. I guess there's no way to guarantee life expectancy of this media. What I'd do to improve the chances of survival is make more than one of each floppy and store separately. Keep them away from magnetic sources obviously...motors and such. Keep them away from excessive heat and cold and at a stable temperature....nothing really more special is needed but don't wait forever. Good luck..

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Swap files to CDs
Mar 11, 2005 1:49PM PST

Maybe you should consider swapping files to CDs. Floppies degrade just like old video tapes. 10 years old floppies may still work, but the data on it probably isn't nearly that old. If you record to floppy and let sit for 10 years, chances are the origional documents would be unreadable.

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I considered suggesting that but
Mar 11, 2005 8:02PM PST

given the 386 under DOS waiting for an opportunity to get a new desktop "someday", it sounds as if the person does not have a burner. They could also transfer them right from the HD of the old machine if it survives long enough.

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Floppies
Mar 12, 2005 5:19AM PST

Thanks Steven - your response is what I prefer hearing! I'll probably give in and get a new desktop this year.