I am running vista and I click on futura symbol and get a message connection error. Both the usb cable is connected and machine turned on.

If your computer indicates that there's no USB connection to the machine, and therefore the Futura program refuses to start, there are several possibilities. The most likely is your cable is bad, although I have had USB cables that worked fine elsewhere, but didn't on the machine. Try switching the cable you're using with your printer cable.

Sometimes if you originally installed it using one USB port, it doesn't want to work if another port is used. Although I have not had that problem on this line of Futuras, others have. Try switching the port you're using.

Another possibility is the USB plug on the machine doesn't "seat" very well. That's true of all the Futuras. Make sure that the plug is sitting squarely in the machine. Personally, I tape the plug in using masking tape, then plug and unplug it from the computer side.

I need more information to answer this question. Is this a error message on your computer screen? Or on the machine? I know Singer Futura machines require a USB cable connection to work; check USB drivers are installed properly on the compatible version of windows as well.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

You did not indicate which operating system is used on your laptop. If you have Win Vista, 7, or 8, there is a patch that you can download from singerco.com, find your XL400, go to software and download the patch (should go to your download folder) . Next go to the Control Panel and uninstall the software. Re start your computer. Turn OFF your anti virus software and install the Base Singer software. Next, go to the download folder and double click on the Futura patch. Plug in your usb to the singer, then laptop, and turn on the sewing machine. At this point you can Launch the Futura software.
1. Turn on Computer
2. Plug in usb from XL 400
3. Turn on XL
4. Launch Software
Hope this helps - 8)

Go to the Singer website and down load the driver for your machine.

"PC" symbols on the machine panel if it is not connected to PC and switched on is a normal behaviour.
As for communication failure try to remember whether something on your pc has been changed: windows upgrade, machine got connected to another usb port etc. If any of such changes have been made try to reinstall Futura software. Otherwise launch troubleshooting utility and send its report to futura-support.

My computer is extremely touchy when I use my usb cable to attach to my machine. I have to use the SAME usb port that I used when the driver was installed or else it will not recognize that my machine is plugged in. Basically it is telling you it cannot find your machine. Reinstall the driver and mark which usb port you used to install the machine.
Also, in order to open the futura software, your machine must be powered on and connected via USB cable before you attempt to open the software on your computer.

Hi I had the same problem sent question to Singer and this was their reply

"Do you have Vista 32-bit or Vista 64-bits? Unfortunately the CE-100/200 machine will not be compatible with either Vista 64-bit systems or the newest Windows 7 computers. The CE-100/200 will only be compatible with Windows 98 through Vista 32-bit operating systems.

This appears to be a hardware issue and not something that we will be able to create a patch to correct. Drivers necessary for 64-bit operating systems are not compatible with the CE-100/200 machines." so I guess we are SOL

I received an email back from Singer stating that it is not possible at this time to load the Futura software on a 64-bit system using Vista. I have emailed to ask whether it would load if the OS were XP, but I haven't heard back yet.

They said that they were working on finding a fix for this, but they aren't sure that they will since it's a hardware problem.

There may be a small "DRIVER" needed for the computer to "see" the sewing machine (*make sure machine is turned on!) when the cable is hooked up. (*could be a bad cable try another they are $2 at fry's) This sometimes requires more computer work to make sure the usb cable is connecting the embroidery machine to the computer correctly.
This driver may be located on your Singer Futura Disk? this is not your program to run the singer machine but the one to connect the two so they can communicate embroidery designs and such.
Deep breaths it will never work if it goes out any window.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

So here's what I did and it worked for me. Somehow the WinDriver that is on the software is uninstalling itself and needs to be listed with the drivers for Jungo for this software to work. I installed the software when I first got the machine with no problems, then suddenly I couldn't open it and was receiving the same connection error. When you go to http://www.futura-support.com/faq/machine.htm#2 to install the drivers, you'll notice their screen shot shows both the CLEM driver and the WinDriver. Check your machine following their instructions to see if you have both listed under the Jungo driver. If not, go to http://www.jungo.com/st/windriver_usb_pci_driver_development_software.html and select the link under "Available WinDriver Toolkits" for your operating systems (I selected WinDriver USB for Windows). It asks a bunch of questions which I didn't know the answer to so I selected "other" on almost everything then entered "NA"or "?" for the other description. Select Download now and it will need to restart your computer. Once done, I looked at the device manager again and now WinDriver is listed under Jungo and CLEM and the software opens, no problems.

This will at least temporarily solve the issue, however, it's a free trial which means the download will expire at some point. Good news is, the windriver is on the futura disk, I just don't know why it's not installing or staying on the machine. I am sending all of this to Singer to figure out what they're missing in the installation files and hopefully get a fix permanently.

Good luck!