DoubleSpace Conversion Kit: Description & How to Obtain

This article describes the Microsoft DoubleSpace Conversion Kit (DBLCONV.EXE) and how to obtain and install it. The DoubleSpace Conversion Kit enables you to convert DoubleSpace-compressed drives to DriveSpace format. DBLCONV.EXE is a self-extracting executable file that contains the following files: NOTE: If you installed MS-DOS 6.22 Step-Up, you should already have the DRVSPACE.MR1 file in your DOS directory and therefore do not need to obtain this conversion kit.

Description

The DoubleSpace Conversion Kit provides the DRVSPACE.MR1 file. If you used MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before installing MS-DOS 6.22, the DRVSPACE.MR1 file enables MS-DOS to read data stored in the DoubleSpace compression format even if the DoubleSpace driver (DBLSPACE.BIN) is not loaded in memory.

DRVSPACE.MR1 makes it possible to:

• Convert DoubleSpace-compressed drives to DriveSpace format.
• Use DriveSpace to mount and read DoubleSpace-compressed drives.
• Use MS-DOS 6.22 ScanDisk to check and repair DoubleSpace-compressed drives and compressed volume files (CVFs), even if DBLSPACE.BIN is not loaded in memory.
• Use MS-DOS 6.22 Backup for MS-DOS to restore backups created with MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 Backup for MS-DOS or Windows, even if DBLSPACE.BIN is not loaded in memory.

IMPORTANT: DRVSPACE.MR1 works in conjunction with the MS-DOS DBLSPACE.BIN file. If you did not install MS-DOS 6.22 over MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2, you do not have the DBLSPACE.BIN file.

If you did not install MS-DOS 6.22 over MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2, you can obtain the DBLSPACE.BIN file from online services. For information about obtain- ing the DBLSPACE.BIN file, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For information about converting DoubleSpace-compressed drives to DriveSpace format, type "help dblspace" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt after you upgrade to MS-DOS 6.22, and then choose the Notes button.

Availability of the Dblconv.exe File

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

You can also:

• Fill out and return the form included in your MS-DOS 6.22 Upgrade package.
• Call the Microsoft Sales Information Center (MSIC) at (800) 426-9400 and order the Microsoft DoubleSpace Conversion Kit.

Installation Instructions

To install the DoubleSpace Conversion Kit, follow these steps:

1. Copy the DBLCONV.EXE file to a blank floppy disk.
2. Change to the floppy disk drive by typing A: or B: at the MS-DOS command prompt.
3. Run DBLCONV.EXE by typing dblconv at the MS-DOS command prompt.
   
   DBLCONV.EXE extracts the compressed files and stores them in the root directory of the floppy disk.
4. Run SETUP.EXE by typing setup at the MS-DOS command prompt.
   
   Setup installs the DoubleSpace Conversion Kit on your hard disk.
   
   NOTE: The Setup program must be run from a floppy disk.