The Xdrive service will close on January 12, 2009. After this date, all files and data stored on the Xdrive service will be permanently deleted. We are offering several options and tools, as further described in these FAQs. Please be sure that you retrieve your files prior to January 12, 2009, to avoid permanent data loss.

We are offering our users the following options:

• You can create a single .zip file, containing all of the files in your Xdrive account, which you can then download to your computer; or
• You can also download any of your files through the standard Xdrive Web and Desktop Clients.

After January 12, 2009, you will no longer be able to access your Xdrive account. All files and data will be permanently deleted and you will no longer be able to retrieve your files.

We've created a new tool on Xdrive to save the entire contents of your archive into a single "zip" file. You can download this file and either save it to your hard drive, upload it to another storage service, or store it elsewhere. Here's how you do it:

• Go to www.xdrive.com
• Log into your Xdrive account
• Click on the link "Download your entire account."
• Your account will then be packaged and compressed. Note that this may take some time, depending on the number and size of files in your account.
• Once your file is ready for download, you will see a link that reads, "Click here to download the zip file of your account." Click on the link and follow your computer's instructions for downloading the MyXdrive.zip file to your computer.

Please note that, depending on the number and size of the files you have, this option may take some time to complete. Larger numbers of files will result in longer zip and packaging times.

• Go to www.xdrive.com
• Log into Xdrive
• Click on the Launch button to launch the Xdrive Classic web interface application.
• Select the folders you want to download in the main view pane. To select all of your folders, check the box next to Name at the top of this pane.
• Click on the Download button in the main button bar.
• Once the download dialog box opens, select the location at which you want to save your download file on your computer, then click on the Save button. You will be able to see the progress of your download.
• Once the download completes, click on the Close button.

Please note that, depending on the number and size of the files you have as well as your internet connection speed, this option may take some time to complete. Larger numbers of files or slower connection speeds will result in longer download times. Your download dialog box will provide you with an estimate of how long the download will take.

You have multiple options for downloading your files using the Xdrive Desktop Client software. You can Restore a back-up set or you can download files through Windows® Explorer. Note that this may take some time, depending on the number and size of files in your account. To restore an entire Backup to your computer using Xdrive Desktop, please follow these steps:

• Connect to Xdrive Desktop.
• In the Xdrive Desktop window, click the Backup tab.
• On the Backup page, click the Advanced tab.
• On the Advanced page, select the backup you wish to restore and click the Restore button.
• The Restore Files from Backup Wizard opens. Click Next.
• To restore the files to the original locations, click the Restore to original location check box. To browse for a location, click the Browse button to search or enter a path in the field provided. After making your selection, click Next to continue.
• Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate date of the backup. To select from files only in the restored backup run and no earlier, select the check box. Click Next to continue.
• The total number of files displays. Click Next.
• On the Confirm Restore page, click Finish to accept the restore.

To download files using Windows® Explorer;, simply use standard methods for moving files in My Computer or Windows Explorer, as described below. Note that you must be logged in to Xdrive Desktop to see your Xdrive in Windows Explorer or My Computer.

• Using Cut and Paste:
• Right-click on the name of the file or folder on your Xdrive that you want to download to your computer and select Copy.
• Right-click the location on your computer to which you would like to download and select Paste.
• Using Drag and Drop:
• Click and hold the file or folder in your Xdrive account that you want to download to your computer.
• Drag the file or folder to the appropriate location on your computer and release the mouse button. The file or folder is copied to this location.

We have turned off the upload capability because any files you upload now will simply need to be downloaded or archived from your account by January 12, 2009.

Note: if you have both Xdrive Desktop and BlueString AutoCopy installed on your computer, please remove BlueString AutoCopy first, prior to removing Xdrive Desktop

To uninstall Xdrive Desktop:

• Click the Windows Start button.
• In the Start menu, click Control Panel.
• In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
• In the Add or Remove Programs window, scroll down the list of currently installed programs and select Xdrive Desktop. Xdrive Desktop will highlight, and a Change/Remove button will appear.
• Click the Change/Remove button.
• Follow the on-screen directions to remove Xdrive Desktop. You will need to restart your computer when done.

Note: if you have both Xdrive Desktop and BlueString AutoCopy installed on your computer, please remove BlueString AutoCopy first, prior to removing Xdrive Desktop

To uninstall BlueString AutoCopy:

• Click the Windows Start button.
• In the Start menu, click Control Panel.
• In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
• In the Add or Remove Programs window, scroll down the list of currently installed programs and select BlueString AutoCopy. BlueString AutoCopy will highlight, and a Change/Remove button will appear.
• Click the Change/Remove button.
• Follow the on-screen directions to remove BlueString AutoCopy. You will need to restart your computer when done.

The BlueString service will close on January 12, 2009. After this date, all files and data stored on the BlueString service will be permanently deleted. To retrieve your files, please go to Xdrive and log in using your BlueString user ID and password.

BlueString uses the Xdrive online storage service to store all of your photos, videos and music that you have uploaded through BlueString . We are providing Xdrive users with multiple options to retrieve files, including BlueString files. To retrieve your files, go to www.xdrive.com and log into Xdrive using your BlueString user ID and password. Then select the option that is right for you.

No. All billing for Xdrive was halted on November 5, 2008. You are no longer being charged for the Xdrive service. If you find that you have been charged for Xdrive services after November 5, 2008, please contact our customer service team by sending an e-mail to xdrivehelpline@aol.com.

The original formats of your video files are stored on Xdrive with the rest of your BlueString files, so you can download the original video files through any of the Xdrive download options. The flash video format versions of your videos (with .flv extension) are available for download in the "My Videos" section of AOL Video Uploads.

I can recommend several other providers of online storage services that you can use instead of Xdrive, including:

Box.net
Carbonite
Elephant Drive
Microsoft Live Sky Drive
Mozy
Spare Backup

This list is provided for reference only and should not be considered to be an exhaustive list of online storage providers. AOL makes no claims as to the suitability of these services for individual users, nor does this list constitute any sort of endorsement or recommendation on the above-listed services on the part of AOL. You are encouraged to research these and other online storage services to determine their suitability for your needs.