1. What is the procedure to connect the X'S-Drive 2 XL to a computer?

In order to connect the VP2260 onto your computer,
1. Switch off the VP2260 and connect it onto your USB Port
2. Switch on the VP2260
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 X'S-Drive II can be used as a USB Card reader as well).

2. How the files transferred to the X'S-Drive 2 XL are stored on its internal HD?

You can perform Copy Transfers from any memory card to the internal 2.5 inches Hard Disk of the X'S-Drive 2 XL.
Note: It is not possible to copy from the X'S-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 X'S-Drive 2 XL 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
- SM000x for SmartMedia
- 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 X'S-Drive 2 XL allow to use the device for up to 2 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 X'S-Drive as it may result in lost of file/data, or even damage the X's-drive.

5. Is the X'S-Drive 2 XL compatible USB 2.0 as well as USB 1.1?

Yes, the X'S-Drive 2 XL 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 2 XL?

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 2 XL 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
- Removable Drive 3: SmartMedia/xD
- Removable Drive 4: 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 2 XL recognise a HD with multi-partitions?

No, the X'S-Drive will see the first partition only of your Hard Disk.

9. Is there any limitation with the x's-drive 2 XL?

The limitation with the X'S-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 X'S-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 X'S-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 X'S-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 X'S-Drive 2XL?

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


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

The X'S-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 X’S drive to a memory card?

Only when the X'S-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 X'S-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 2 XL?

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 X'S-Drive Hard Disk to detect and correct bad sectors if any.

When transferring data via USB from your computer to the VP2260 Hard disk, please make sure you safely unplug the VP2260 by clicking on the Plug and play icon.

15. Can I use xD memory cards with the X'S-Drive 2 XL?

You can use xD memory cards without the need of any adapter. It uses the same slot as Smartmedia as indicated on the unit.

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

The X'S-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 X'S-Drive 2 XL, 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 VP2260 compatible with Memory Stick Duo?

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

21. Is the X'S Drive 2 XL compatible USB 2.0 as well as USB 1.1?

Yes, the X'S-Drive 2 XL 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 VP2260 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 have a 30GB Hard disk and the VP2260 only shows 29GB capacity.

The capacity for a hard disk available is always slightly below the advertised capacity. For instance a 30GB will show 29GB available.


24. I copied via USB 3GB files and when disconnecting the VP2260 and switching it on, the capacity available has not decreased.

In order to prevent this, you must disconnect your VP2260 properly from your computer by clicking on the Plug and Play icon to safely disconnect the VP2260. This way no data is lost and the VP2260 capacity counter will be accurate.


25. The screen of my XS Drive 2 XL is illuminated but nothing is displayed. What is wrong?

The internal battery of the XS Drive 2 XL is very low in charge and doesn't have enough power to get the unit operating properly.
You need to charge the battery or use an external battery pack.


26. I cannot access the Hard disk when connected to my computer via USB. What is wrong?

The internal battery of the XS Drive 2 XL is very low in charge and doesn't have enough power to get the unit operating properly.
You need to plug the VP2260 in the mains.

27. Is the VP2260 compatible with xD picture cards type M?

Yes it is.

28. I cannot copy from my memory card to the HD and I get the following display. What should I do?



The Hard disk is not formatted - please use the formatting application as on the download page or supplied CDRom. If you use a 30GB Hard disk or less, you can format with Windows directly by right click, format FAT32.

29. Is there a list for the possible error codes displayed on the LCD panel as the one below?



Here is the list of possible error codes:
   01: Hard disk not formatted
   22: Hard disk not ready for the read access
   26: Hard disk read error
   89: The power level is too low for the HD to operate or there is a problem with the Hard Disk


30. When connecting the XS drive 2 XL to my computers USB port, the battery symbol on the display does not show. Does this mean that the XS drive is powered by the USB port and not the internal battery while connected? If not, how do I tell when the batteries are getting flat when connected to my computer?

When plugged to your USB port, the XS Drive 2XL is using the power from the internal batteries. In this mode however, the battery level is not shown. We recommend to leave the XS Drive 2XL plugged to the mains if you wish the unit to remain connected to your PC for a while.


31. I connect my VP2260 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 VP2260 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 2XL drive.

32. When I store my data on the VP2260 band the battery runs out, will I lose all the files?

When you perform a backup of all your data from your memory card to the internal Hard Disk of the VP2260, files are written on the Hard disk, which means that if the VP2260 is no longer powered by the batteries, the data remains on the Hard disk, like with a computer.


33. I cannot use the XS Drive 2XL and I obtain the following screen when I switch it on.



It appears that the internal Hard Disk has not been properly fitted. A pad is supplied with the unit with dimensions specific to the XS Drive 2XL so the Hard Disk won't move inside the unit.

Please check that the Hard Disk is properly fitted inside the unit to the IDE connector by unscrewing the back cover of the VP2260 using the screwdriver supplied.


34. I initiated the transfer of 20GB of data from my VP2260 to my computer, and after 5 hours the transfer stopped as the unit switched itself off.
The unit is connected via USB and plugged into the mains.

When you have a large amount of backed up photos stored on your XS drive 2xl hard disk and wish to copy them to your computer, you need to copy a limited amount of data each time (ie 4GB each time).
The unit has an autonomy of 5 hours when used via USB and plugged into the mains when the battery is fully charged. If you perform several transfers which require more than 5 hours, the unit will switch itself off and you will need to fully recharge the battery before reconnecting the VP2260 via USB to perform further transfers.

The XS Drive MP3 is not affected by this limitation.

35. I reformatted my 80GB VP2260 Hard Disk but I still get 73GB available only.

It is possible that a hidden folder contain the data so you can have about 74/79GB available. An 80 Hard disk used with a PC or with the VP2260 is always advertised with more capacity than the physically available capacity on your Windows explorer or similar.
For instance you should get 74.50GB available for your 80GB VP2260.
If you check your local Hard Disk, you will find out that it is the same (ie 39GB for a 40GB).

In order to make sure that the Hard disk is fully formatted, you need to delete the partition on the XS Drive 2XL and then recreate it - the instructions to do so are:

- Connect the unit via USB to a Windows 2000 PC
- Go to Start / Settings / Control panel / Administrative tools / Computer Management
- Click in Storage / Disk Management
- Select the Disk corresponding to your VP2260 (ie VP2260 - 74.53GB), then right click on the current partition (ie XSDRIVE F: 74.53GB FAT32) and select Delete Partition
- when it is done, you will see Unallocated - right click again, select New Partition, click Next, Primary Partition, leave Partition size at the suggested one (equals max disk space), keep the letter assigned, and select Do not format the partition
- When you get the box as healthy, make a note of the driver letter (ie F:) and close the Computer management
- Run the formatting software supplied (XSDrive Format), select the VP2260 drive letter and continue until the end

Close the software when done, safely disconnect the drive via the Green arrow icon at the bottom right hand side of your screen (Safely Remove Hardware).
The unit will then auto switch off.

36. I own a Mac, can I format the Hard disk without having to use a PC?

If you use Mac OS X (previous versions may work), you just need to select the mounted drive (not the partition only) in 'Disk Utility', chose 'Erase' and select 'MS-DOS' from the popup menu.

37. When I try to copy from my memory card to the XS Drive 2XL as stand alone, the copy progress is stuck to 0. Is there a solution to solve this problem?

The problem described may be due to the fact that your VP2260 Hard disk has not been properly formatted. Please reformat FAT32 the HD using the supplied software via a Windows 2000 or XP PC.

38. I want to format my XSDrive 2XL (due to power failure while copying from a card). So only 23 of 40 GB are available now (FAT failure?)
But the software supplied on your web page doesn't work (although it is displayed as finish all the datas - even the "bad" ones - are still on the disk. How can I do a clean reformat?

You can access the Windows Disk Management from the Control Panel to delete the partition and create a non formatted partition again. Rhen re use the formatting software.