Memorex CD-RWs Are Crap

from JoeUser Forums
Never, ever buy Memorex blank CD discs. these things are total crap. I bought a stack of 25 of the High Speed CD-RWs and at least half of them are bad. They're great if you need a bunch of coasters, but otherwise avoid them at all costs.

I have a bunch of stuff I want to burn and am now going to have to go buy some decent ones if I ever want to get this done. I'll never buy Memorex again. I've always had good luck with Sony discs and will stick to those from now on.
51,085 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I usually buy what's on sale and never pay attention to the brand anymore.  Sorry you had some troubles.


Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mason, there are so many different things to consider these days with all the variations of burnable media...Im not saying that perhaps you didnt get a bad batch of Memorex, but you may want to take into consideration all of the things that it could be other than the media itself, such as "Speed" "+" "-" type of data being burned, etc,etc,... Also sometimes the firmware of your burner could be the issue...


Like Island dog, I buy whats on sale usually, from Sony to Generic brand, CD and DVD blanks and have yet to experience media that is bad, it has always turned out to be another cause...

You could very well have gotten bad media though, not saying it isnt possible, but I bet Memorex will strand behind it and replace it for you if you tell *Them about it...


Just a few thoughts...
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

I have had great luck with memorex.  Probably just a bad batch. But then that is how vendors get bad reps.  Letting bad batches through.

But at 25 cents per, I usually buy the cheapest as well, and use the bad ones as mini frisbees.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Any discs by any maker purchased from Staples have been total crap in my experience.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you, thank you! I always, always have a really hard time with them! Crap is too nice a word!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
um thanks...


btw memorex is usually crap, but my burner works with anything so im good (LG btw)
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As soon as I hit one bad disk in a set I drop the speed and all works well.  You never know though.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am pretty experienced with burning ISO images. Burner firmware isn't an issue, it's always performed well. As soon as I started seeing problems I dropped to a low burn speed, and even went back and doubled checked the md5sums of the downloaded images (although I had already done so).

I just finished burning one of the same images on a Sony disc and it's perfect. Plain and simple, the Memorex media were crap.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Check this list of CD & DVD manufacturers and who they actually have make their discs for them:
WWW Link

I always try to buy the DVDs manufactured in Japan, or the Verbatims.
I've had good luck with some store brands (Staples, CompUSA) that were on sale. It's a crapshoot who they may have had do the actual manufacturing, so I guess I just got lucky with some of them.

This list
WWW Link
lists the Sony, Verbatim, Panasonic in their top category. Notice Memorex only made their "Budget" category.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
u just found out?
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

u just found out?


Well, I've had hit and miss problems with them in the past but thought it was maybe just that one bad batch as I usually buy Sony. After buying this stack and having at least half of them be bad I'm convinced now they are just crap.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ok, so maybe I was beating up on Memorex for nothing. While I still think their discs are sub-quality, it looks like my burner is failing. I'm going to try to get out and buy a new one later today.

Technology is great...when it works.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Memorex ARE crap...I've had the top layer coating flake off of burned disc after a short time...you could see thru them.

Sony has never let me down,verbati good...maxell...mixed,dull silver top dvd...bad.
Shiny gold tops(13$ for 50 at walmart)as good as sony.
HP red tops...crap.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have had many problems with Memorex as well. If you want disks that will never let you down (ever), get Taiyo Yuden from http://www.supermediastore.com/ they usually have some good deals.