XDrive
August 16, 2005 in 0 out of 5 stars, A service, Hosted softwareXDrive: An online hard-drive that you can use for file sharing, backups, and other goodness. XDrive, Inc. Because it allows me to backup my critical files online through an easy to use backup program, but it also just acts as a 'folder' that I can access from anywhere with an internet connection.
Even better, I can send out invitations to people and they can access my files, and even be given permissions to administer files/folders, etc and even invite other people.
The price is also great. $10/month for 5GB of space (and 2 months free if you sign up for a year). They've also done a great job of documenting how to use it. It took me about 2 minutes to set it up and get it going. The only thing that could make this cooler would be the ability (for a fee, obviously) to CNAME, or alias part of my domain over to them, so that I could do something like send clients to : http://clientfiles.mysite.com/clientx/ etc. That would make this thing unparalled. As it is, I can still send clients out to a folder created specifically for them (and them only), but the url is for a resource on xdrive.com $10/month or less for 5GB of space (unlimited transfer) Reviewed by Michael K. Campbell Editors note: See also StongSpace.What is it?
Who makes it?
Why is it the killerest?
What could be improved?
How much does it cost?
Rating?
Thanks for the review. How does this, if at all, compare with StrongSpace? Are they different services or competitors and since you have used both which would you rather use?
Posted by: Paul Watson | Aug 17, 2005 3:58:06 AM
Paul,
I'm the one that made the original suggestion to Carson -- he lets you submit cool stuff to his site.
StrongSpace, from what I saw, doesn't allow you to share your files with others. I could, effectively, send you an invite to see some of my files from my XDrive account, but I didn't see that StrongSpace had this functionality. Plus XDrive provided me with backup software that runs on my local machine AND the software creates a networked drive - I can see it from DOS/anything. It's VERY cool.
Posted by: Michael K. Campbell | Aug 17, 2005 8:45:25 AM
Eh. Working with Xdrive. Found some horrible compatibility problems with Firefox and 'tweak network settings'. After weeks troubleshooting those connectivity problems, it's become more palatable. Also, there is a problem with Firefox -- if I leave a window open and goto bed... when I wakeup, Firefox is munching 90% CPU.
It will be interesting to see what, if anything, AOL does with Xdrive. I give kudos to Xdrive tech support; they've been tremendously responsive, if not always helpful...
Posted by: dqueue | Aug 17, 2005 8:15:01 PM
Wow, I hadn't noticed that AOL had acquired them[1] (happened on 8/4). Lame!
[1] http://www.xdrive.com/aboutus/pr_08_04_2005.jsp
Posted by: Carson McComas | Aug 17, 2005 8:22:29 PM
I hate to say it... but I had to cancel my subscription.
KILLER idea. Far from killer functionality. For the last 7 days the system has been so messed up that I can barely use it. I can only log on for a few minutes - and all of my backups keep dissappearing.
NOT a good backup situation. Not even a fun way to transfer files. Not even a cool toy at this point. In other words, I wouldn't use it if it were free right now - it's just so undependable, etc.
I've contacted customer support. All I've gotten are replys that tell me that they are having "difficulties" and they are working on it - keep trying...
They've agreed, very easily, to refund my remaining subscription though. So good on them.
(Read more about it here:
http://blog.angrypets.com/2005/11/xdrive_thats_ba.html
)
Posted by: Michael K. Campbell | Nov 15, 2005 9:21:55 AM
Thanks for the update report Mike. I haven't de-listed them because it sounds like they may yet be able to pull it off, but with your report, and some other reports[1] I've seen around the web, looks like they get a demotion.
[1] http://www.download.com/Xdrive-Desktop/3640-2085_4-10301018.html?pn=3&sb=0&v=0
Posted by: Carson McComas | Nov 15, 2005 5:11:41 PM
From a reliability and dependability perspective, ShadowStorae is superior to Xdrive. http://www.shadowstorage.com
Yes, Xdrive does have the application which you can install locally to handle backups but ShadowStorage has an easy-to-use web-based interface that is fast with dependable uploads and downloads. Also, i got a toll-free fax number with the account. The integration is sweet. Xdrive has yet to successfully deploy fax capabilities. You'd think AOL buying Xdrive would have helped, but so far things seem to have gotten worse.
Posted by: Billy D. | Nov 19, 2005 2:15:00 PM
In three months it never completed a full back-up. Customer support does not respond, literally. Attempts to get a refund meet a run-around. Don't buy X-Drive!
Posted by: L. McIlwain | Jan 28, 2006 1:11:59 PM
Five months of XDrive has been nothing but frustration and poor customer service. (And I'm a techie.) I'm giving up and searching for a better backup solution.
Posted by: Lee G. | Mar 22, 2006 9:59:21 AM
Beyond horrible!!!!! I signed up for this free trial service recently and it worked of course but i could never see pictures in the thumbnails. My comp tech couln't figure out why this was so I decided to cancel before they charged my credit card
The problem is that i cannot get through on the phone. I have tried relentlessly to call 866 463 7483(am i the only one who has had this problem,... i can't imagine i am..i am in san diego)since they say that is the only way i can cancel. I emailed them trying to make it clear that the phone connection wasn't working. I call on my cell phone and all i get is a message that the number is not available in my area. My land line just goes beep beep beep.
I tried about 13 times and the one time i got through yesterday afternoon this happened. .....they said "their system was not working and i would have to call back" or something to that effect. I explained over and over and over again that I could not call back since my phone was not able to connect and that it seemed like a fluke that i was able to get through this one time but it was like they had ears but didn't hear what i was telling them. Than i got on the phone witht the supervisor Julie and to her credit she said she would credit me back if i did get charged ...thanks a lot Julie! She said oh we are open 24 hours, so now it's 230 in the am and i have tried to get through 15 times or so at 20m inute intervals. Why do i have to go through all this hassle for something that should be such a simple easy trial. Why can't you grasp the fact that i can't get through on the phone when i keep telling you -over and over. Are you just trained to filter out the words that you don't want to hear. Aren't you supposed to be a customer service professional taht solves problems? I hate so much wasteing my time getting into all of this but i have to vent and now i am off to all the other blogs i can find to post similiar complaints . And tomorrow it's off to the bbb and chamber of commerce and d and b to lodge complaints.
I didn't even get asked why i wanted to cancel.
I guess the only thing that i can do is keep trying in the morning to call. Or perhaps I;ll call some friends out of state to see if they can get through
Posted by: scott | Mar 31, 2006 2:38:57 AM
Xdrive, together with AOL, is in the process of making significant upgrades to its technology infrastructure that will greatly enhance user experience. The move will allow Xdrive to leverage AOL's massive infrastructure, network redundancy, and exceptional safety and security, and expand our storage technology to a whole new audience. It will also allow us to rapidly develop and deploy innovative new web, mobile and desktop applications to our storage platform and use them to enhance a range of AOL products. Xdrive users will benefit from AOL's technology and support infrastructure and will have full access new products and services as we continue to grow. If issues arise during the integration, users can email [email protected], access our 24/7 Customer Support center, or call our support department toll free at 866.GO.XDRIVE (866.469.3748), Monday-Friday, between 6:00AM - 6:00PM PST.
Posted by: Doctor Xdrive | May 7, 2006 9:35:52 AM
New XDrive Problems
Between 6/1/06 and 6/6/06 Xdrive used my monthly direct-billing to bill me six times!! That has put my checking account account in overdraft.
When I speak to support at 703-499-0141, they can only refund the amount billed and that will take 7-10 working days.
To get reimbursed for overdraft fees I must fax my statements to Mike Bishop at 703-265-7981 with no promise of when I may get reimbursed.
On the three times I asked to escalate my complaint I was transferred to "Tier 2" at which, after being on hold for about two minutes, a recording came on stating that this was the line for "AOL City Guide", to address City Guide inquiries to John Gaines at 310-979-5245, and to call 866-469-3748 for any XDrive inquiries.
One of the five reps I spoke to admitted that the multiple billing was a systemic problem, and it was obvious to me that they had attempted to put a remedy in place but it is not working, eg. referring escalations to a non-working number.
Has anyone else reported these problems?
Posted by: Uncle Bob | Jun 7, 2006 2:03:06 PM
I've had similar billing problems.
On June 7, I signed up to evaluate their service. From what I understand in the terms of the trial I was not be billed until the end of the 30-day trial. And yet, 17 days after signing up, I was charged.
Repeated attempts to contact someone have not been successful. Only once did I get to an actual person who just punted me to some other department where I was routed to voice mail.
It surprises me to read that they're an AOL company, because they sure as hell act as if they're a fly-by-night company.
Posted by: Al | Jul 14, 2006 6:03:51 AM
I had a horrible experience. I signed up for the free trial, encountered incredibly slow upload speeds, never had the system send invites when I shared a folder, cannot reach them by phone, and they shut down their support forums. I am afraid I will have to contact the bank to prevent charges.
Posted by: Jay | Jul 27, 2006 9:53:43 AM
Xdrive has been billing my account on a daily basis... I get charged for a conversion rate, and since Xdrive refuse to repsond to my emails. I've had to cancel my bank card to stop them helping themselfves to all my cash. So far I have 7 debits showing on my statement in as many days. Really I think this is a Fraud and need to be stopped. However I'm in the UK and do not have the powers to stop this company stealing other peoples money.
Posted by: Michael Beaumont | Aug 6, 2006 5:34:56 AM
Thieving bastards. Similar to all the experiences above, I trialled Xdrive, it was too slow, so tried to cancel. There was no way to cancel Xdrive on their web site and money started coming out of our account. I don't want to be put on hold on an international call which according to other experiences above won't make any difference anyway.
If anyone reads this in the US, please alert your consumer affairs department and throw a brick through their window for me.
I have just cancelled my credit card have now have to wait 7-10 days for a new card to arrive. Pain in the arse!!
Posted by: Matt | Aug 18, 2006 2:21:18 AM
Xdrive is now offering free 5 gb at no catch for aol and nonaol users. By the Xdrive Desktop will not install on my machine says SOAP is missing. I went through great lengths finding SOAP on Microsoft Developement page which has ditched support of it's own product. Had to install a series of patches just to install correctly. Then with all my hard work, xdrive desktop says sorry not a known server.?? I'm baffeled, the web drive at kw: Xdrive says all my services and I can browse all the function but the desktop function doesn't know me. I give up.
Posted by: John Hilla | Oct 7, 2006 4:48:40 AM
It seems to be a H O A X
1) They will offer a cool service that works fine at first.
2) They will get your credit card number and start billing.
3) The service will stop normal functioning, i.e. it does not work as it did.
4) You can't cancel your account without a war.
5) Result. You have paid six months to a year and you have received nothing.
Sue them, please.
Posted by: Jesse | Oct 19, 2006 10:40:48 PM
I had told them to terminated my account before trial period ended, but now I am charged!!
Xdrive is just cheating our money.
Any Internet police here??? Help~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by: adam | Oct 28, 2006 12:07:55 PM
Xdrive, together with AOL, is in the process of making significant upgrades to its technology infrastructure that will greatly enhance consumers experiences. The move will allow Xdrive to leverage AOL's massive infrastructure, network redundancy, and exceptional safety and security, and expand our storage technology to a whole new audience. It will also allow us to rapidly develop and deploy innovative new web, mobile and desktop applications to our storage platform and use them to enhance a range of AOL products. Xdrive consumers will benefit from AOL's technology and support infrastructure and will have full access to new products and services as we continue to grow.
866.GO.XDRIVE (866.469.3748)
Posted by: Doctor Xdrive | Nov 4, 2006 10:26:47 PM
Hi, for a secure, fast and reliable backups of all your important data you have to try an online service like IBackup (www.ibackup.com). IBackup's online backup services include applications for interactive and automatic scheduling of backups with compression during transmission, incremental/full backups, encryption, synchronization, open file support for MS SQL Server and Exchange Backups and many more. None other than PC World recently rated IBackup as the `best all-around’ service’ in a review of online backup services.
Besides backups, you can restore the stored data easily and that too from previous versions of files and folders stored. Using 'IDrive' (www.ibackup.com/IBDrive_new.htm) you can map your online IBackup account as a network drive on your computer. You can then drag and drop files to the IBackup account from the Windows explorer.
Easily manage your multimedia files with 'IDrive Multimedia'. On double-clicking on a multimedia file, it will open up your media player and starts playing instantaneously. You can even create 'playlists' or do 'shuffle' using your favorite media player pointing to IDrive's media files. Streaming of video files is also instantaneous. You can even use advanced functions such as fast-forward with near instant response. You can share all the media files with others by creating sharable links and emailing them.
For added security, you can use IBackup Professional (http://www.ibackup.com/professional/), whose encryption is based on a user-defined key so that the data stored on IBackup Professional servers cannot be decrypted by anybody other than you. You can also restore up to 30 prior versions of files backed up, including the most recent version of the data files.
Posted by: Ben | Nov 16, 2006 4:18:20 AM
i just skimmed thru this and i didnt see anything about how it is free now, anyway xdrive is free now (at least with a aim screename[which is also free])
so thats a free 5gigs of online storage, and you can pay for it if you want 50 gigs
although i hate aol i will use this
Posted by: sonicjosh | Dec 15, 2006 1:07:43 PM
I have the free xdrive through AIM and it seems to have gotten worse than before. I though I was in luck to find the 5 gb for free since my computer needed to be reset. So I went ahead and saved everything and had a new hard drive installed. Backing everything up was easy, at first I was able to get into everything, but now I cannot open or save any of my files. Everything I had for school is now lost and the best part is that since I have A free AOL account, I cannot get any help except for the articles posted on the website which don't explain anything. Now I have several importaint files "saved" on Xdrive but have lost everything that I needed since it has curupted all the files. I should have figured this wouldn't have worked just because it is AOL and nothing from them works the way it should.
DO NOT USE XDRIVE, ITS ONE BIG HOAX!!!!
Posted by: kathy | Jan 6, 2007 2:07:31 PM
I used Xdrive a few months ago, and It really sucked. Sometimes it worked, others it didn't. It took me HOURS on the phone to cancel my account, and I could barely understand the INDIAN guy on the other end. Xdrive, as I see it has made errors, including but not limited to:
1. Selling a service that does not work reliably, and sometimes not at all
2. Outsourcing to India, and having Indians who you can't understand try to help you.
3. Xdrive has an EXTREMLY bad server infrastructure that cannot handle the ammount of trafic it gets.
I once read about this poor lady who "backed up" all of her tax records to Xdrive. When her computer crashed, she didn't worry, for she had "backed up" all of here stuff to Xdrive. She found that the files were still on Xdrive, only to wait a few days while her computer was fixed to find that Xdrive lost her files. On it's old home page, Xdrive.com had something on it about how every file was put on a tape drive for an extra backup. So the lady contacted support so she could get the tape backup. Hewever, the support person replied and said that there was no such thing..........
DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT USE XDRIVE. IT WILL CATCH UP TO YOU!!!!!!
Posted by: Brandon | Jan 13, 2007 10:37:10 PM
I tried using the free 5gb version of Xdrive, because ...what can you loose? Just time, patience, sanity, and CPU cycles. First, Their website contains a few broken links. Including the one to email technical support. When I did get to a place to email customer support I received a response email telling me to email aol directly for customer support. Now, if they are so smart, why can't they forward it themselves, or better yet, put the correct email address in their own application.
I could not get their software for Xdrive desktop to install. The version from the Xdrive website is 153. I tried three times, both downloading and running directly. I was able to download and install version 154 from CNet. Why would a company download an older, non functioning version from their own web site and give a free download service the good version?
Once installed I couldn't use the desktop. I sent a detailed message indicating that the problem was a problem with a proxy login. They sent back a generic email asking for details that would help them solve the problem. ALl of these details were contained in my original email. The second email suggested that I call 1-866-goxdrive. After wading through the usual touch tone responses it says that phone support is for paying customers only.
I now have five emails with suggestions, none of which fix the problem. I have a stand alone PC with a broadband connection. It uses the Microsoft Windows XP firewall. This sounds like a plain vanilla computer. I wonder why they can't make their product work?
Posted by: George | Jan 21, 2007 2:30:25 PM
XDrive seems to good to be true - turns out it really sucks - the part where you send file links to other users only works part of the time or not at all. An forget the FAX feature - tried multiple times to get that working.
You get what you pay for - in this case nothing worth while...
Mark
Posted by: Buttonback | Feb 2, 2007 4:12:56 PM
Does anyone have a working email address for Xdrive.com?
I signed up for the free trial last summer and have been billed monthly ever since, despite repeated requests to [email protected] to have my account cancelled.
I've lost my userid/password so can't login to my account to cancel from within or find other contact methods.
Please help!
Posted by: AH | Feb 26, 2007 12:54:10 AM
Hello Everyone,
I read your comments on workhappy.net (http://www.workhappy.net/2005/08/xdrive.html). I too am having problems with Xdrive! Not only does it not work, but it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to cancel! I have also called their 1-866 phone # and had the EXACT same problems that you described! HOWEVER, I DID FIND A WAY TO CANCEL WITH JUST ONE PHONE CALL. I just looked at my credit card's transaction for the last six months or so and THERE IT WAS!! A phone # to call!!! That phone # is 703-433-0141 - I think that that area code is for somewhere in California (and I live in Austin, TX)! I'm not sure if they have it setup where you have to call a certain phone number if you live in a certain area, but you can sure give it a try. Canceling was simple and easy. I was even given a Reference # and a confirmation e-mail!! I'M FREE, I'M FREE! ANYTHING associated with AOL is almost impossible to cancel! Don't do business with ANY AOL subsidiary!
Regards,
Bob Flowers
[email protected]
Austin, TX
PS: Since I'm not a registered user of workhappy.com, perhaps you can post this phone # on/in their forum for me so that others can cancel as well.
Posted by: Bob Flowers | Feb 27, 2007 5:33:07 PM
Thanks.
On my credit card I only got the first 5 digits of that phone number. Now I have the whole thing. Anyone out there don't use X-Drive please
Posted by: Moonwriter | Mar 5, 2007 8:43:21 AM
Add me to the list of dissatisfied customers. I have had some difficulties with their desktop application. They promise a response to Tech Support calls in less than 3 hours for paying customers (there is a free option as well with slower Tech Support responses). They do not respond. When I contact them by phone, they refer me to AOL Live Chat. AOL Live Chat said they do not support xdrive. I call xdrive support again and they tell me they provide limited support on the phone (none in this instance) and give me an email address for support. I submit my issue and I receive an immediate auto-reply that contains a tracking # and a promise for a response within 24 hours. Four days later I have not received a response so I submit a follow-up inquiry via email. That submission also results in an auto-reply response...with a new tracking number. It has now been a week and I have not heard from them. I will now cancel my account and change my paid AOL account to a free one. If I'm not going to get any service, might as well pay an amount commensurate with that level of service.
STAY AWAY FROM XDRIVE.
Posted by: M D | Mar 17, 2007 12:24:34 PM
X Drive still sucks.
Ten months after Dr X drive stated on these pages they were making significant improvements, x-drive still sucks. The problem is much bigger than they thought, if they did in fact think. I only found these postings out of exasperation trying to call them and find out why I could not buy more space. I'll pop a call into the tech reporters on The WSJ and a few other major publications. Maybe that'll shame them into action.
Posted by: Chris | Mar 27, 2007 12:30:28 PM
I tried Xdrive upon discovering I already had a free account. The web interface seemed well designed, and more modern than, say, myfabrik.
However recently I have been trying to get back in to my account but the site won't let me log in. It asks if I want a free 5GB account which I already have, or if I want a paid account. When I say I want an account-- which I shouldn't have to anyway-- there is an error page that says my "order can't be processed at this time [sic]".
Posted by: connectionfailure | Apr 22, 2007 3:14:53 AM
I have to say I am very disappointed with XDrive too! I could not get the desktop app to launch. I keep getting an error 53 and it appears that it has something to do with the Loopback connection not being enabled. I try to enable it but, it won't work.
My uploads keep timing out and it just sits and spins. Forget AOL, they sell your information, prevent you from getting e-mail, and install software on your machine without your knowledge.
So there, just say NO!
Posted by: John Melson | May 13, 2007 12:27:44 AM
Regarding xdrive .... got cancelled this am by using info i found here! Thanks
1-866-469-3748 and be patient ... I beleive it is out-sourced to New Dehli or something ..
Posted by: Ellwood Peters | Jul 13, 2007 6:55:06 AM
What stories I could tell you all about Xdrive! But I can't! NDA! What I can say now is to confirm some of your above comments. Yes, that's the number to call for Xdrive support but it's not the only one consumers can use to reach out to AOL for support on any of their services. So keep that in mind next time. Another thing, AOL recently pulled off any references to the support phone number or email address from within your account. I am sure that some of you might have noticed this! You won't find it listed anyplace in the TOS, web page, FAQs, or anywhere. Think of it this way. How can any employee of AOL support a product that he/she has never even used? Did AOL train every employee at their Manila or India call centres to support this feature rich, mutli purpose, interactive Digital Asset Management application? No way! Impossible! So that's the level of support you are going to get from any company that has to save money by employing outsourced 'talent'. This 'talent' pool will not be able to help you fix any issues, wether it be an issue with the Desktop Appication, the Web Interface, Xdrive Shows, not to mention the more complex issues, like, network protocol issues, error codes that get thrown at consumers. They have never seen it or used the product let alone done any trouble shooting to that high level of technical expertise. They read a script and give you suggestions of things that were given to them from experienced Xdrive staff that are outdated and don't even apply anymore. Need I say more?
P.S. Let's not spread incorrect rumors about a true Xdrive evangelist like Doctor Xdrive. I meet him, over at MySpace.com! He helped Xdrive consumers in the Xdrive Forums and in oh so many other ways but he lost the fight to keep support in house at Xdrive and out the door he went! Along with many other great contributors to Xdrive.
Posted by: Need I say more? | Aug 13, 2007 10:26:42 PM
I have a problem, since AOL buy Xdrive they change the loggin system...my username used to be my old e-mail the I don´t use anymore. But when I try to log in, the system send your new username to the e-mail that you used to have.
when I try to contact all the links send me to the username and password....so I will never get in contact....or what!!
Posted by: Rodolfo | Sep 4, 2007 9:25:15 AM
Rodolfo: I am having the same problem. I am trying to log on with my old username which is my email and then my password. I keep being asked for my screen name. The AOL populates my AIM chat screen name automatically and sends me a link to change my password. I got in with no problem, but its a new account not my old one. Can any one help me out?
Thanks,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | Sep 30, 2007 5:51:16 PM
Non-existent support. Calls to support line refer you to AOL. AOL refers you back. email requests for support result in tracking # being assigned...but that is all. I have lots of tracking #s. Anyone want one...cheap?
Posted by: M | Oct 9, 2007 3:30:23 PM
What a joke XDrive is. I tried to install their desktop software to my Vista computer, but it refused to install--it kept hanging near the end of each install. From there, I tried to use their browser/java utility to upload my files. I had about 1.3GB of data, and it was uploading at 53 kbps on a high-speed internet connection. The upload status message said it would take about 7 hours to upload the files. The interface is confusing, and the help files are text-heavy and full of jargon. So much for XDrive. Another AOL waste of time.
Posted by: Chuck | Oct 28, 2007 2:51:23 PM
About the only thing cool about XDrive is........NOTHING. If you can't use it, it's not worth it. In my mind, everything that AOL gets their fingers into SUCKS. If you want XDrive, then go for the free 5GB, but STOP THERE. Don't pay a single penny for expanded space. You'll only be wasting a perfectly good penny that could be thrown into a wishing well...and when you throw it in wish for Google to buyout XDrive from AOL and turn it all around so that it will work right!!! Either that, or that they come out with an even better looking online storage application.
Posted by: John | Nov 27, 2007 2:12:21 PM
SUCKS!
Who codes a website on total popus anyway?
xdive in allowed list.
All popup blockers are off.
Still get window saying 3rd party blocking window.
Tech support tells me to turn the blockers off ...
HELLO - THEY ARE OFF!!!!
Evidently, another victim of outsourcing to India. No can read English.
Posted by: Not Happy | Apr 2, 2008 3:56:04 PM
Xdrive has an intolerable service. Their phone doesn't work, customer support email has been switched off and there is no way to cancel the account. I will simply instruct my credit card provider to stop payments as their behaviour borderlines fraud. I can strongly suggest to NEVER even sign up for the free trial.
Posted by: john | Sep 1, 2008 4:19:43 AM