If you have older equipment that does not have burn-proof, then you can get problems in CDR burns if you multitask during the burn, but most systems give perfect burns, if a little prudence is used. My 2X system never had a "coaster" (a failed burn). If you burn files, just set the system to verify the burn, and it will make sure all the 1's and 0's are as the original. But even if the disks last only ten years, by then we will have at least DVD's as the main medium for data and maybe crystals as the next technology. When I bought my Win 95 system, 3.5 floppies were the backup media. A year later it was 100 meg zip disks. Now it is 700 meg CDRs and soon, 2-5+ gig DVDs. That is in just six years, so do not worry about the CDR life. Since I do a lot of burning, mostly old records and tapes to CDR and backing up my system and programs, I end up with duplicates or outdated disks that I have no use for. I have found that they make a good deer repellent. Hang them on a length of fishing line from any horizontal bar ( like a fence line) so they can catch the breeze. If there are any lights in the area at night, the CDR catches the light and flashes. It seems to spook the deer that use to visit our flowers. Came through the spring with tulips and day lilies intact. Might also work with other varmints. You can use any CD-ROM, including all the free ones that AOL likes to send. They do not last ten years when in the sun and rain. Usually a couple of months. Bill Truesdell Bath, ME