1. What is the procedure to connect the XS-Drive MP3 to a computer?

In order to connect the VP3650 onto your computer,
1. Switch off the VP3650 and connect it onto your USB Port
2. Switch on the VP3650
Four "Removable Drives" will be accessible on your computer; the first Removable Drive is the Internal Hard disk and the following 3 Removable Drives correspond to the Memory card slots (as the XS-Drive II can be used as a USB Card reader as well).

2. How the files transferred to the XS-Drive MP3 are stored on its internal HD?

You can perform Copy Transfers from any memory card to the internal 1.8 inches Hard Disk of the XS-Drive MP3.
Note: It is also possible to copy from the XS-Drive Hard Disk to a memory card when used alone.
If you have performed several transfers during the day with different types of memory cards, you can connect the XS-Drive MP3 to your computer via USB to access all the files transferred.

When you access the first Removable Drive (internal HD), you will find a CARDS folder to open and then see that you can access all the folders corresponding to the transfers done. Also depending on the Memory card used, the folder names will be as follows in the CARDS folder:

- CF000x for CompactFlash
- XD000x for xD
- SD000x for Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard
- MS000x for Memory Stick
(x is the number of the transfer, i.e. CF0001, CF0002, CF0003...)

3. How long do the Internal batteries can last before recharging?

When fully charged, the internal rechargeable batteries of the XS-Drive MP3 allow to use the device for up to 2 hours. If you listen to MP3 music from the internal 64MB flash, the batteries will last up to 10 hours. It takes 4 hours to fully recharge the batteries.

4. Is it safe to remove a memory card while files are being transferred?

No, when the transfer is indicated on the LCD panel, do not remove the memory card from the XS-Drive as it may result in lost of file/data, or even damage the X's-drive.

5. Is the XS-Drive MP3 compatible USB 2.0 as well as USB 1.1?

Yes, the XS-Drive MP3 can be used on a USB 2.0 as well as USB 1.1 connection.

6. What Operating Systems are supported by the x's-drive MP3?

The X's-Drive can be operated on any of the following OS:
Windows 98/98SE, Windows 2000 (with driver)
Windows ME/XP, Linux Kernel version 2.4 or above without driver
Mac OS 8.6 - 9.0 with driver
Mac OS 10.0.1 and above without driver

7. I get 4 Removable drives when my xs-drive mp3 is connected to my computer - what is the meaning of each of them?

Each removable drive corresponds to the memory card slots of your x's-drive (as it can be used as a card reader) and its internal Hard Disk. Their definition is as follows:
- Removable Drive 1: Hard Disk
- Removable Drive 2: CompactFlash / Microdrive
- Removable Drive 3: xD, MMC/SD or Memory Stick

Although under Windows ME or XP you don't need to install drivers, installing from the CDRom will provide you icons for each Removable Drive to make it simple to know what each drive is.

8. Does the XS-Drive mp3 recognise a HD with multi-partitions?

No, the XS-Drive will see the first partition only of your Hard Disk.

9. Is there any limitation with the x's-drive MP3?

The limitation with the XS-Drive is the number of transfers per type of card you can perform before emptying your Hard disk or renaming/moving the generated folders: the XS-Drive can accept up to 9999 transfers per type of card.

For instance, your first transfer with a Compactflash card will create the directory CF0001. At the 9999th transfer from your Compactflash card to the XS-Drive, the CF9999 directory will be created, and it is only then that no more transfer with the Compactflash card will be possible.
When the XS-Drive is connected to the computer, you will need to copy all your transfer to a different media (i.e. Hard disk, CDRom) before being able to do some transfers again.
Otherwise, provided you still have some storage left on the HD of your xs-drive, you can rename the folders CFxxxx to be able to do some other transfers.

10. How long does it take to transfer files from a memory card to the XS-Drive MP3?

A complete transfer from a full Compactflash 1GB will take 8 minutes minutes approximately.


11. Can I use the XS-Drive as an external Hard Drive to do back up of the files of my computer?

The XS-Drive internal Hard disk, when connected to your computer, is recognised as a Removable Drive.
You have full access to its content, therefore you can use it as an external backup Hard drive - we just recommend not to use folder names like the ones of the transfers (for example CARDS).

12. Is it possible to transfer pictures from the XS drive to a memory card?

Only when the XS-Drive is connected to your computer via USB.

13. Can the data on the X's-Drive be shared in a networking environment?

Yes, files on the XS-Drive's HD can be shared in a networking environment, provided the host machine has the share functionality enabled for the unit.

14. What precautions should be taken while using the X's-Drive mp3?

Wait for a few seconds upon inserting and removing of the X's-Drive with your computer, so that time is given for the Operating System to recognize the X's-Drive. Avoid removing immediately after inserting the X's-Drive or performing repetitive insertions/removals.

Also perform from time to time a Scandisk on the XS-Drive Hard Disk to detect and correct bad sectors if any.

When transferring data via USB from your computer to the VP3650 Hard disk, please make sure you safely unplug the VP3650 by clicking on the Plug and play icon.

15. Can I use xD memory cards with the XS-Drive MP3?

You can use xD memory cards without the need of any adapter. Smartmedia cards will require a Compactflash 5 in 1 adapter.

17. Is there any restriction on file types to be transferred from memory cards?
I shoot mainly RAW files.

The XS-Drive allows you to copy all the files stored on your memory card to a new directory on its internal Hard disk. Therefore there is no file type support restriction.

18. When you copy data from a memory card to the x's-drive, does it automatically delete what is on the memory card after the transfer?

When you perform a transfer from a memory card to the XS-Drive MP3, it copies all the data to the internal HD but it doesn't delete any file from the memory card.
You need after to delete the photos with your digital camera for instance.

19. Is it possible to directly boot my computer with the X's Drive on which OS has been installed?

It is not possible to boot on a PC with the USB storage device because the PC OS must be loaded first so that the USB storage device can be detected.

20. Is the VP3650 compatible with Memory Stick Duo?

If you have the Memory Stick adapter, you can use the Memory Stick Duo with the XS-Drive MP3.
Please note that the XS-Drive is not compatible with "Memory Stick Select" (ie 2 x 128MB).

21. Is the XS Drive MP3 compatible USB 2.0 as well as USB 1.1?

Yes, the XS-Drive MP3 can be used on a USB 2.0 as well as USB 1.1 connection.


22. I do not get the battery life as advertised. Is there a solution?

Like all the lithium-ion battery, the VP3650 battery needs to be fully charged and discharged for about 3 to 5 times.
The battery life will then come back to a normal status.


23. I copied via USB 3GB files and when disconnecting the VP3650 and switching it on, the capacity available has not decreased.

In order to prevent this, you must disconnect your VP3650 properly from your computer by clicking on the Plug and Play icon to safely disconnect the VP3650. This way no data is lost and the VP3650 capacity counter will be accurate.

24. Is the VP3650 compatible with xD picture cards type M?

No it is not. The XS drive MP3 is not compatible only with Type M xD picture cards, but it supports xD cards standard.

25. When connecting the XS drive mp3 to my computers USB port, does the XS drive get powered by the USB port while connected?

When plugged to your USB port, the XS Drive MP3 internal batteries will charge from the USB port.

26. I connect my VP3650 to my computer and only 3 removable drives are showing, not the Hard Drive. What can I do to sort this?

Solution 1: please connect the unit to a different USB port as some USB 2.0 port don't provide enough power for the internal Hard disk of the device to operate.

Solution 2: If you work in a networking environment and have a network drive assigned (ie E:), the Drive letter of the VP3650 Drive will not be assigned automatically as there will be a conflict between the two.
To sort this, simply go to Start -> Control Panel -> Admin tools -> Computer Management, and then select Disk Management. You can then assign a different drive letter by right clicking on the XS Drive mp3 drive.

27. I changed the Settings but these are not saved.

When you change the settings of the XS Drive MP3, you must press the <- arrow button at the end to save the new values. If you switch off the unit, values will not be saved.

28. Can I copy files back from the Hard Disk to the memory card?

Thanks to its easy to use interface, you can make a selection of files and folders to copy from the XS Drive MP3 Hard disk to the inserted memory card.
You can alternatively from the memory card to the hard disk to copy only a selection of files (if you do not wish to make a full backup of the memory card).
A Delete function also allows to delete files or folders from the Hard Disk or the inserted memory card..

29. I cannot access the XS Drive MP3 via USB.

When you connect the XS Drive MP3 to your computer, please make sure that you use the supplied double lead USB Cable, as this cable will plug to 2 USB ports of your computer to provide enough power for the unit to operate. If you use a standard USB cable from another device, the unit will not work properly.

30. It seems that the USB socket on the XS Drive MP3 is for both USB connection to my computer and power. Is this correct?

Yes, to make it a very compact unit, the USB socket of the XS Drive MP3 is not only aimed to plug it to your computer via the double lead cable to transfer data, but also to charge its internal batteries. To charge the unit, you can either plug it into the main using the supplied AC Adapter, or leave it switched off to your computer with both USB connectors plugged in.

31. I would like to be able to take movies (in MP4 format) on holiday with me and then transfer the files to a memory stick in order to watch them on my Sony Playstation Portable (PSP).
I can see that the XS Drive MP3 will transfer files from the HD to the memory stick - can you select a specific folder on the memory stick as a destination for the copied file? This is very important, as the PSP needs to have the MP4's stored in a specific folder otherwise they will not play.

Yes, you can select a specific folder on the MS to copy files or folders from the HD, as described in the manual.