I bought a new 8X DVDRW and sure enough, my old CDRs went bad. I couldn't install or see anything on them. In fact, the PC refused to work ~ indicating the disc was bad - until it was removed from the drive. The original (press) CDs still work and can be installed. For some reason, I tried the bad CDs on the old PC and sure enough everything came to life again. I don't doubt that CDs will fade but try a old drive before you give up on them.