Whether you use SSDs or older mechanical hard drives, both storage systems are limited in their ability to preserve stored data when not in use.
That
doesn't mean that you have to leave your PC on all the time. But anyone
who thinks that it is a good idea to save important information on a disk and
lock it in a safe is, unfortunately, wrong.
So what should we do with the data stored on our hard drives if we want to preserve it for as long as possible?
What
is the rot bit?
To understand what is
behind this degradation of bits, what is called “bit rot”, we must first
explain how the data is stored.
Traditional
HHDs use magnetism so that all bits of data (that is, ones and zeros, can be
stored in what is known as a cluster or sector group. However, the bits can be
reversed over time, and this gives foot to data corruption.
To avoid
this, hard drives have an Error Correction Code (or ECC) that looks for those
corrupted bits during the reading process. If an error is detected, the
hard drive will correct it whenever possible.
SSDs, on
the other hand, don't use any moving parts like hard drives. They use a
different method of storing bits. This solid state system uses an
insulating layer to store charged electrons in microscopic transistors (and
this is a simplified explanation!).
How does
bit degradation occur on an SSD then? They can lose information when the
insulating layer breaks down and charged electrons escape.
How long
it actually takes for this bit degradation to occur depends on several factors.
Hard
drives can potentially operate with data intact for decades, even if they are
not used for long periods of time. SSDs, on the other hand, can lose data
in the same state in a few years. In fact, data stored on an SSD can be
lost even faster if it is stored in an extremely hot location.
Now both
storage systems work quite differently. They usually last until they
encounter typical problems, such as hardware failure or
when the maximum read and write cycles are met on the SSDs. (Manufacturers
specify the number of cycles, but how long it takes to reach that limit depends
on how often data is read or written.)
Of course,
hard drives and SSDs can also lose data with other problems, such as malware , corrupted firmware , if
they come in contact with water, or other accidents that have nothing to do
with bit degradation.
How
to avoid bit rot and other errors on hard drives
First of all, make
sure the discs you are using are in good condition. You can use the SMART
status (“Self-Monitoring”, “Analysis” and “Reporting Technology”) to check it,
for example.
It is not a perfect system, but it will allow you to know the current status of your hard drive and can indicate if a failure is about to occur. A free tool that will offer you this type of information is Crystaldiskinfo .
Alternatively,
you can determine how long you want to use a hard drive or SDD for. Once
you pass that limit, you will have to replace it with a new model .
It is
worth mentioning that, in the past, SSDs were not considered as reliable as
hard drives when they were used, but that is no longer the case. Now you
can assume that SSDs will last as long as any hard drive.
Generally speaking, you shouldn't have a storage system for more than five years. However, this does not mean that the discs cannot function well any longer techwadia. The longer you use them, the more important it will be to have backups .
There are archive
disks specially designed for this, but if you have data on a regular hard drive
or SSD and want to keep it in a box or closet, you should install it (or
connect it via USB cable) and use it from time to time.
Better
yet, create an entry on your calendar so this is something you do on a
recurring basis. This will greatly reduce the risk of bit degradation and
other problems.
In the case of HDDs, it is sufficient to turn them on once a year or every two years. However, you should "update" the data by copying it again or using an external program like Disk Fresh. SSDs do not need the latter, as they only need to conserve their voltage. However, it is advisable to use them for several minutes about twice a year.
Alternatives
to hard drives and SSD
Another way to store
data is by using a custom file storage system, such as Verbatim's M-Disc
Bluray discs , which are supposed to preserve data for thousands of years. Obviously,
this is a difficult thing to check.
They are
available in various capacities, from 25GB to 100GB per disk. However, its
write speeds are quite slow, so the process can take a long time, so it is only
worth it for really important data.
Whichever option you choose, this will always be true: it is advisable to make several copies of your data and save them in different locations to ensure that no loss will occur. thepinkcharm themarketinginfo worldmarketingtips technologybeam
