WTF? -- Idle won't save, can't delete files -- WEIRD

[mmkw43]

This is a first.

I go to home/pi and actually delete a file(s) in File manager. (Pcmanfm)
I close file manager and reopen it later and check to see if the files are deleted and they are.

I reboot (or even shutdown completely and repower) and --
open file manager and the files are there !

Not only that but IDLE is doing the same thing -- not saving changes after a reboot.

So I open up terminal and open pcmanfm in terminal as a superuser --
delete the same files
reboot and the same thing happens -- the files are still there ! HOLY CRAP.

[klricks]

Provided that you haven't configured your RPi for Read Only Filesystem:

Sounds like your sd card is near end of life and has gone into read only mode.
The controller on the sd card will do that to preserve content (photos) when it senses impending failure.

[mmkw43]

Not good. Better get everything off it.

Let me ask --
I'm guessing fewer failure issues with a card when you just read it over the years? Write an image once?
Less life (much?) with many, many write/save instructions?

Thanks much for the answer -- I have used this card a great deal. Class 10 Sandisk.

[Imperf3kt]

Writing to a card isn't what kills it, it's actually the erasure of data that lowers the cards lifespan.

But of course, if there's data already in the cell you're writing to, it must be erased first.

Just reading a card will last much longer, but that's hardly practical.