On page 92 of the manual (XHA1S), I followed the instructions for: Reading a Custom Preset File from the Memory Card.

Everything goes along fine until I close the menu. Then the camera defaults back to the original settings.

Here is my path: Camera set to M
Menu / CUSTOMIZE / CUSTOM PRESET /
Card to Camera / IMPORT / (I selected a custom file)
(I can see the change on the LCD of the new custom parameter I used)
SELECT POSITION / I selected the preset number: 2 PRESET_A
EXECUTE / Confirm / EXECUTE
Close Menu

When I check back at 2 PRESET_A it is now the custom preset file name I wanted there. But once I close the menu, the camera doesn’t show the change of the new preset anymore on the LCD.

Thanks for any and all help.

Hi David,

Closing the menu isn't how you activate a custom preset. To activate a custom preset, press the Custom Preset On / Off and Select buttons on the bottom left side of the camera. See the top of page 92, "Activating a Custom preset," for more details. Hope this helps,

I feel like a total newbie. But wait! I am.

Thank you for stiring me in the right direction. Look at this response I got from Canon tech support:

'If you have already backed up any data on the memory card, then try
reformatting it in the camcorder. If the issue continues to persist,
then try resetting the camcorder by choosing the SYSTEM SETUP -> RESET
ALL options in the menu. If this doesn't resolve the issue, then the
camcorder may require servicing'.

I usually get good help from Canon so maybe he was a newbie just like me :)