Generally speaking, how LONG??

How long can a hard drive retain data?
I'm not talking about constant use here. Lets say I buy a brand new drive, throw a few files on it and then set the drive aside for 50 years. Will the data still be there? It's use that destroys hDs not time? or

SevenNerd said:

How long can a hard drive retain data?
I'm not talking about constant use here. Lets say I buy a brand new drive, throw a few files on it and then set the drive aside for 50 years. Will the data still be there? It's use that destroys hDs not time? or

Data is stored as magnetic impulses which degrade over time. Use does damage a HD but so does time. usually the MTBF (mean time between failure) value is an indication of how long.


Ken J

I would think the life time would significantly improved if you could hang the drive on a computer like every 2 years or so, shift some data around, run a defrag so the magnetizing would be refreshed.
If you store that drive right (cool and dry) it certainly outlasts every Tape/CD/DVD/Flash drive.

-DG

I think your biggest issue might manifest itself in the incapability of obtaining proper hardware and drivers to read your stored disc in the distant future.

The information on a stored HDD might outlive you but I wouldn't trust its veracity after more than 10 years.

As far as DVD's go, I've read claims from manufacturers of a life span between 30 and 100 years.

+=1.

You will have to refresh your hardware way sooner than 50 years or you won;t be able to read it on anything. I wouldn't trust any optical media that uses dye for any period. Your best bet right now is to use the latest magnetic technology - disk or tape, make two copies, and refresh it every 5 years.

Gene

Ask the manufacturer.