Xdrive (website)

Infobox Company
name = Xdrive

type = Subsidiary
genre =
foundation = flagicon|USA United States
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location = flagicon|USA United States
locations =
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key_people =
industry = Online storage
products =
services =
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revenue =
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parent = AOL
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Xdrive is an online storage company based in the United States. It was acquired by AOL on August 3, 2005. It is a service offered by AOL which allows users to back up their files over the Internet. The service provides a free 5 GB account (free online storage) to anyone who has, or is willing to sign up for a free AOL screenname.cite news
last =Pogue
first =David
coauthors =
title =Fewer excuses for not doing a PC backup
work =
pages =
language =
publisher =The New York Times
date =January 6 2007
url =http://news.com.com/Fewer+excuses+for+not+doing+a+PC+backup/2100-1046_3-6147459.html?tag=nefd.lede
accessdate =2007-01-06 Quote: "Online backups, where files are shuttled off to the Internet for safekeeping, are suddenly becoming effortless, capacious and even free."]

Xdrive also offers remote backup services and 50GB of storage for a $9.95 per month fee.

Recently, problems have arisen with Xdrive signups. People who sign up for Xdrive using an existing AOL screenname have had their screenname disabled without explanation. Those who had been using AIM as a free service, even under screennames in existence for many years, have been unable to get the accounts reinstated or access the data associated with them. In addition, affected users with free AIM accounts cannot reach AOL for help or even for information, as their phone support explicitly excludes such users. AOL is apparently either unaware of this problem or has no intention to investigate or rectify it. In addition canceling the account seems to be very difficult even for paying customers. Online help suggests that it can be done with either support email or by phone using 1-800 number. Unfortunately due to constant technical problems the phone number and the email address are not visible for every paying account. Even with email canceling option many have stated that phone call to 1-800 number was required while others have found that changing their credit card was the only option.

In July of 2008, it was reported that AOL would sell or close Xdrive along with several other personal media properties.cite news
last =Schonfeld
first =Eric
coauthors =
title =Want to Buy Xdrive? AOL Is Trying To Sell It For $5 Million.
work =
pages =
language =
publisher =TechCrunch
date =July 25 2008
url =http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/25/want-to-buy-xdrive-aol-is-trying-to-sell-it-for-5-million/] The story was ultimately confirmed by sources within AOL who also asserted that affected users would be offered options for preserving their data.cite news
last =Shankland
first =Stephen
coauthors =
title =AOL to sell Xdrive, close photo and mobile sites
work =
pages =
language =
publisher =CNET
date =July 25 2008
url =http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-9999471-93.html ]

References