Applies to: Version 5.0, Version 4.0
The PastPerfect Software support team is often asked if it is better to use CD-R (writeable) or CD-RW (re-writeable) to backup PastPerfect Data and Images. We recommend using a CDR instead of a CD-RW to backup your PastPerfect Data, Images and Multimedia files.
CD-Rs are very affordable, with an average cost that ranges between $0.09 and $0.28 per disc. So, if you back up your PastPerfect Data, Images and Multimedia files to a different CD-R once a week, you'll have approximately 2 years’ worth of CD backups for under $30. This cost is minimal in comparison to the hours it takes a data entry person to re-enter lost data.
There are several benefits to using CD-Rs as opposed to CD-RWs for creating a PastPerfect backup.
- The greatest benefit of using CD-Rs is that they can be written to once. If you back up your data to CD-R, it cannot be erased or overwritten with other information and your PastPerfect backup archive begins.
- Since data is written to the CD once, CD-Rs do not wear out over time like CDRWs. CD-RWs have a limited lifespan, thus we do not recommend using the same CD-RW each time you back up your data, images and multi-media files from PastPerfect.
Be careful! If you are continuing to write to the same CD-RW each time you back up your Data, Images and Multimedia files, then you are overwriting previous backups. You will not be able to reference earlier backups in the event of data loss. By the time you realize that you have a problem, the CD-RW backup may have already been overwritten.
In short, using CD-Rs to backup your data, images and multi-media files is safer and more economical than using CD-RWs. By creating your "CD-R backup archive" you will be certain that your PastPerfect Data, Images and Multimedia files are secure.