max # of eeprom read cycles

[Michael B. Irwin]

So the EPROM's and EEPROM's are getting old...Sounds like the thing to
do is remove the EPROM or EEPROM  (if socketed)  while it's still
retaining  data, read the data on a PROM programmer, and store the data
on a floppy disc for re-programming the memory chip when it gets flaky.
If it's too late to do this, you will have to get the data somewhere
else. Preventive maintenance...