Eprom's - How long do they last?

Discussion in 'Off Topic Discussion' started by Trenton_net, Jan 17, 2012.

  1. Trenton_net

    Trenton_net AKA SUPERCOM32

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    Hey Everyone,

    So regarding Eprom's, how long do they generally last? I assume only the most intense ultraviolet light for several sustained minutes would do anything to one?
     
  2. Bad_Ad84

    Bad_Ad84 The Tick

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    Depends how they are stored?

    If the window (assuming its a Windowed eprom) is covered, then 10-30+ years.

    If you dont have the Window covered, sunlight can erase them within a month or so.

    Edit:

    good link:
    http://my.ais.net/BD/05/xtreme/SF/Bit-Rot/
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2012
  3. Trenton_net

    Trenton_net AKA SUPERCOM32

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    Ah, thats great. Question: Does Fuse PROM chips suffer from the same fate? I assume because of the irreversible nature of it, probably not (But probably costs a lot more money)?
     
  4. Melchior

    Melchior Rapidly Rising Member

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    Well considering they are basically silicon diodes, and the oldest silicon (TTL/DTL) systems are still running at 40+ years...

    PROM love you "long time".
     
  5. l_oliveira

    l_oliveira Officer at Arms

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    Trust me ... MASK ROMs do ROT too ... :shrug:

    Of course they may last 30-40 even 100 years, but if the silicon has impurities of any kind a ROM could fail. I still have the bit-rotten MASKROM of the Famicom Parodius I fixed for a friend. :nod:
     
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