2. What is a single chip controller?
The manufacturer ExcelStor has designed a special single chip controller for their GStor Plus storage solution. This single chip controller is located on the GStor Plus. It combines several embedded security related functions.

3. Which security functions are embedded in the GStor Plus?
Depending on which model:
Hardware data protection (Encryption);
Store of actual operating system¡¯s state (update or backup);
Instant restore of secured operating system¡¯s state (restore or rollback);
Create up to 3 physically separated boot drives (multiboot);
Create one write protected drive for data (virtual slave drive);
Authorized management only (master password);
Authorized access only (user password);
Embedded drive locking in the case of false master and/or user passwords entries.

4. How many IT-Security solutions does the GStor Plus offer?
The GStor Plus offers six different security solutions in one product:
- Encryption
- Update/backup
- Restore/rollback
- Multiple physically separated boot Drives and one write protected virtual slave drive
- Authorized managing and data access
- GStor Plus locking if false master and/or user password will be entered repeatedly

5. To which Interface can the GStor Plus be connected?
The GStor Plus will only work on the Primary ATA Port of the mainboard. Additionally no other device can be used on this port.

6. In which capacities is the GStor Plus available?
Today only 80 GB models are available. Larger capacities will be available this year.

7. Which operating systems are supported by GStor Plus?
The manufacturer ExcelStor is verifying all the time GStor Plus with actual secure firmware under different operating systems. Now GStor Plus supports DOS 6.22, Windows 98SE, Windows 2000 (SP4), Windows XP (SP2).

8. Is the GStor Plus also usable in an Apple computer?
Unfortunately no, the GStor Plus will only work in AT-compatible (x86) PCs.

9. Where do I find Information about all the different models of the GStor Plus?
Please have a look at the > Datasheet

10. Where can I purchase the GStor Plus?
Please have a look at the > Partners

11. Which language is used for the menu?
The GStor Plus is available in English & Simplified Chinese versions.

12. Where can I check which version of the secure firmware my GStor Plus has?
The version of the secure firmware is shown in the both GStor Plus setup menu and in boot menu, user setup menu and master setup menu.

13. Do I have to use special setting in the BIOS of my PC to be able to use the GStor Plus?
Yes, the function ACPI S3 (if applicable) has to be disabled.

14. Where can I find the most recent version of the GStor Plus secure firmware?
The GStor Plus secure firmware, codes, update program and short firmware update manual are available for download in Internet. (please click here).

15. Where can I find the most recent version of the GStor Plus Download?
The GStor Plus Download is available for download in Internet (please click here).

16. How do the security functions of the GStor Plus differ from the ATA- Security set commands?
The GStor Plus uses other methods to accomplish the security functions. Herewith the attack ability as via the ATA security set command is not possible.

17. What are the differences between the RAM-Mode and the Live-Mode?
The live-mode permits both a manually started storing of the current operating system state (update or also backup) and a manually started restoration of the stored operating system state (restore or also recovery or rollback). The RAM-mode permits an automatic restoration of the stored operating system state with each new start of the computer. 

 18. How long does it take GStor Plus to save the status of an operating system?
It depends on the number of the changed data (in comparison with the last stored state) and can last from some seconds to some hours. After the termination of the storing process, the computer restarts automatically. 

19. How long does it take GStor Plus to restore the status of a stored operating system?
The restoration of the stored operating system state takes practically no time with exception of the time to restart the computer. In the Live-mode, you must restart the computer, activate GStor Plus User Setup Menu, start the Restore function and the computer restarts subsequently.  In the RAM-mode, you must simply restart the computer. That lasts usually only a few seconds.  Subsequently you can work with your restored operating system as usual.

20. Do I have to save my personal (changed and new) data if I use my GStor Plus in the RAM-Mode?
Yes, this is necessary because after restarting the next time all your above mentioned data will be deleted due to the automatic restore function. To save the above mentioned data you may either use the virtual slave drive or any other mass storage device.. 

21. What is the maximum capacity available if the 80 GB GStor Plus is configured with the restore function and only one boot drive?
With 80 GB GStor Plus, if only one boot drive is defined and the restore function is enabled, a maximum capacity of 40 GB is available for the boot drive.

22. Why is only 40 GB capacity available when using the 80 GB GStor Plus with the restore function and using only one boot drive?
In order to allow the restore functions, the double memory area is required.  The first area (also called master storage or hidden protected area) is required for the storage of the operating system state. The second area (also called virtual storage or temporary working area) is required for the storage of the temporary data. 
Example 1: If one 40GB boot drive is created on the GStor Plus, another 40GB is used for the temporary data.
Example 2: If one 10GB boot drive is created on the GStor Plus, another 10GB is used for the temporary data.

23. Where are the data of the operating system state stored?
All operating system state data are stored in a special area of the GStor Plus. This area is called master storage or hidden protected area.

25. What is Encryption?
Encryption is a coding of data when they are written on the GStor Plus medium. It is executed by single chip controller in real time. When data are read from GStor Plus medium, the single chip controller executes data decoding in real time also. ExcelStor use a proprietary 64-bit Encryption.

26. Will the Encryption function slow down the PC?
No, by using the Hardware-Encryption of GStor Plus there is no performance degradation in comparison to software based solutions.

27. At what point is the data encrypted?
All data will be encrypted during writing (on the fly) to the GStor Plus.

28. Can Encryption without password protection refuse GStor Plus data access?
Only Encryption if the User Password is not set, can refuse GStor Plus data access if GStor Plus is not in Install Mode but in Protect Mode, Live Disk Protect Mode or in RAM Disk Protect Mode.

29. Where is the difference between the Encryption function and the User Password of the GStor Plus?
The Encryption function encrypts the data stored on the medium of the GStor Plus. The User Password prevents unauthorised boot from the Boot Drive.

30. What does Multiboot mean?
The function Multiboot allows the configuration of up to three individual, and physically separated, Boot Drives on your GStor Plus.

31. How many Boot-Drives can be configured on a GStor Plus?
Today a maximum of three Boot Drives can be configured.

32. What is the difference between normal ¡°boot-loaders¡± and the Multiboot Function of GStor Plus?
The difference is the physical independence. Normal ¡°Boot Loaders¡± only ¡°logically¡± separate the operating systems. That means that it is possible for harmful interaction to take place between them. In comparison to normal ¡°Boot Loaders¡±, the GStor Plus with the Multiboot function defines physically separated Boot Drives. If the normal ¡°Boot Loader¡± is lost this will affect all system partitions, so all are unusable or corrupted. By separating the operating systems on to Boot Drives on GStor Plus with the Muiltiboot function one operating system installed in a Boot Drive may be corrupted without affecting the other operating system installed in other Boot Drives.

33. Can the user decide the number of Boot-Drives?
Yes, the GStor Plus with the Multiboot function allows the user to define how many physically separated Boot Drives can be created.

34. Can the size of the Boot-Drive be defined?
Yes, it is possible to define and set the capacity for each of the Boot-Drives individually.

35. What happens with any capacity that is not used for the Boot Drives?
The remaining capacity can be used as write protected data area that is available to all users. It will be recognized by the PC as a Virtual Slave Drive on the same Primary ATA Port.

36. Which different types of Passwords does GStor Plus support?
The GStor Plus has two passwords - User Password and Master Password. The User Password is provided for each Boot Drive. The Master Password is provided for the configuration and management of the GStor Plus.

37. At what time will the User Password be entered?
The User Password is asked (if set) before the booting of the operating system or before the start of the User Setup Menu.

38. At what time will the Master Password be entered?
The Master Password is asked (if set) before the start of the Master Setup Menu or unlock procedure and is used for managing of the GStor Plus.

39. Who can configure and manage GStor Plus?
Only user with Master Password (is named administrator) can configure and manage GStor Plus in its entirety. An user with User Password (is named User) can only manage his Boot Drive on limited scale.

40. What is a password protected data access?
A password protected data access enables boot from any active GStor Plus Boot Drive only if valid User Password was entered. If a PC with password protected GStor Plus does boot from other boot device (for example Floppy, CD/DVD or other HDD), all data both on the active Boot Drive and on the Virtual Slave Drive will be not access-able. For password protected data access, an User Password must be set for corresponding Boot Drive.

41. Can a Boot Drive be deleted with the User Password?
No, to delete a Boot Drive the Master Password permission is required. Therefore, only an administrator with valid Master Password can delete a Boot Drive.

42. Can a User Password be set for each of the Multiboot Boot Drives?
Yes, each of the Multiboot Boot Drives may have it's own User Password.

43. What are the User and Master Passwords default settings?
Both User and Master Passwords are default not set (are disabled).

44. Can I alter or deactivate the Passwords?
Yes, both User Password and Master Password can be altered or deactivated.

45. Who can alter or deactivate the User Password?
Both User (in User Setup Menu) and administrator (in Master Setup Menu) can alter or deactivate the User Password.

46. Who can alter or deactivate the Master Passwords?
Only administrator (in Master Setup Menu) can alter or deactivate the Master Password.

47. What happens if the User Password is lost or forgotten?
Without knowledge of the User Password (if set) it is impossible to access to the Boot Drive and User Setup Menu. Only administrator can set the your new User Password in the Master Setup Menu.

48. What happens if the Master Password is lost or forgotten?
Without knowledge of the Master Password (if set), a complete use of some GStor Plus functions and its managing are no longer possible. Please note, you may not lose your Master Password in any case. Therefore, no guarantee exists if the Master Password is lost or forgotten.

49. What is the minimum and maximum number of characters used in a Password?
Every Password of the GStor Plus must have minimum 5, and maximum 10 characters.

50. What occurs if a false User Password will be entered repeatedly?
GStor Plus can be locked automatically if the number of false User Password¡¯s entries will exceed the number of max consecutive bad password entries which can be set by administrator among 10 (default) and 98. A locked GStor Plus can be unlocked only by administrator.

51. What occurs if a false Master Password will be entered repeatedly?
GStor Plus can be locked automatically if the number of false Master Password¡¯s entries will exceed the number of max consecutive bad password entries which can be set by administrator among 10 (default) and 98. A locked GStor Plus must be set in ¡°Last Recovery Attempt Mode¡± (with Jumper) and than it can be unlocked only by administrator with right Master Password..

52. Can the GStor Plus works without locking after entries of false Master / User Passwords?
Yes, GStor Plus locking after entries of false Master / User Passwords can be disabled by administrator ¨C when the number of max consecutive bad password entries is on 99.

53. Which customers will need the Encryption Function of the GStor Plus?
Customers who are unhappy with their ¡°Software-Encryption¡± because it slows down the PC.
Customers who want to protect their data from unauthorised access.
Customers who are looking for an independently working System. GStor Plus works operating system independently (no DLL¡¯s, Registry entry,), is cost efficient (no updates necessary) and quickly to be installed.

54. Which customers need the Recovery-Function of the GStor Plus?
Customers who want to recover a system crash just by restarting in seconds.
Customers who often install Software, (i.e. Shareware), and want to be able to remove it without leftovers.
Customers who are running PCs in public areas and in case of a system crash are able to re-motely reboot to reduce service costs.

55. Is it difficult to install the GStor Plus with its security Functions?
It is very easy to install the GStor Plus.
You only need to know how to install a disc drive and an operating system. All settings are done in a simple to use Menu prior to the need of the operating system.

56. Can GStor Plus be used in a Family-PC?
Yes, this is on of the most suitable applications to use the features of the GStor Plus.
Use the Multiboot option to install separate Boot-Drives for the Kids, for the office and for the adults as an example.
The Boot-Drive for the kids is set to RAM-Mode, so they may make any ¡°mess¡± on their partition without any worry, they just have to restart the PC and they get the ¡°fresh¡± System back again.
The office partition may be set to Encryption- Mode to protect your data from unauthorised access.

57. Can the GStor Plus be used in Internet Cafes?
Yes, this is especially useful, because every new visitor will be using a "fresh" operating system every time the PC is rebooted with the GStor Plus in the RAM-Mode.

58. As a Manufacturer of PC-based machines does it make sense to use the GStor Plus security Functions?
Yes, especially PC-based machines (Ticketing-Machines, ATM-Machines, Self-Service-Machines, etc.) are suitable to use the GStor Plus security functions.
With the GStor Plus installed in a remotely accessible machine, a crash of the system partition can be recovered just by remotely rebooting from the securely stored operating system (RAM-Mode, protected area) in seconds saving service costs.