Converting from Third-Party Disk Compression to DoubleSpace
PSS ID Number: Q103949
Article last modified on 11-01-1993
PSS database name: O_MSDOS

6.00 6.20

MS-DOS


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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 6.0 and 6.20
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SUMMARY
=======

If you are currently using Stacker, you can convert to DoubleSpace
using a utility that converts Stacker drives to DoubleSpace format.
For more information, see the coupon in the back of your printed
MS-DOS documentation.

NOTE: The Stacker Conversion utility does not convert Stacker 3.1
drives.

If you are currently using a third-party disk-compression program
other than Stacker and you want to convert to DoubleSpace, you need to
install MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2, back up your program and data files,
compress your drives, and then restore your program and data files.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To convert to a DoubleSpace drive, use the following steps:

1. Install the MS-DOS 6 Upgrade if you haven't already done so.

2. Back up your program and data files on all drives using Microsoft
   Backup or a third-party utility.

3. Create a bootable MS-DOS floppy disk. To do this, insert the
   original MS-DOS 6 Setup Disk 1 in either drive A or drive B, type the
   following command, and then press ENTER

      <drive>:setup /f

   where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing Setup Disk 1.

   IMPORTANT: After you type the above command and Setup prompts you to
   insert a disk to create the startup floppy disk, you MUST create that
   disk in drive A. Also, be sure that you choose to install on drive A.

4. Verify that the disk you have just created is bootable by inserting
   the disk in drive A and pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. If your system starts
   up, continue with the next step. If it does not, reboot from your hard
   disk and repeat step 3 until you have created a bootable floppy disk.

5. Format the drive with the compressed volume file (CVF). To
   do this, type the following command at the A: prompt and
   then press ENTER

      format <drive>:

   where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing the CVF.

   NOTE: If you are formatting drive C, use the /S switch with
   the format command to make the hard disk bootable.

6. If you formatted a drive other than C, skip to step 7. If you
   formatted drive C, you must reinstall MS-DOS 6 Upgrade. To do
   this, insert Setup Disk 1 in drive A or drive B, type the following
   command, and then press ENTER

      <drive>:setup

   where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing Setup Disk 1.

   Follow the steps on the screen to install MS-DOS.

   NOTE: If you used Microsoft Backup for MS-DOS to back up your
   compressed drive, be sure to reinstall Backup for MS-DOS when Setup
   prompts you to do so. (You need this program to restore your backup
   disks.)

7. Install DoubleSpace. To do this, type "dblspace" at the MS-DOS
   command prompt, press ENTER, and then follow the steps on the screen.

   NOTE: For more information on DoubleSpace, refer to the "Freeing Disk
   Space" chapter in the MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2 "User's Guide" or type "help
   dblspace" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt
   and press ENTER. For more information on Microsoft Backup, refer to
   the "Managing Your System" chapter in the "User's Guide."

8. Restore the files from your backup disks by using Microsoft Backup
   or your third-party backup utility. If you are using a third-party
   backup utility, you must install the software onto the hard disk.
   Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for the procedure to do
   this.

Additional reference words: 6.00 6.20

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.