We have uncovered a program bug that we believe
is responsible for the unexplainable problems
people have been having with DoubleSpace.  The
bug appears when a compressed drive is severely
fragmented.  At such times, an apparently
successful file write actually writes garbage
data.  The bug has been demonstrated on several
different hardware configuations, both with
and without auxiliary programs like SMARTDrive
and Delete Sentry.  Microsoft DOS development
has confirmed the bug.  Drive fragmentation will
occur after heavy use or when the drive becomes
full.  Remember, if your DoubleSpace estimated
compression ratio is set higher that the actual
then the free space reported by DOS is in accurate
and includes "phantom" free space that does not 
exist.  Likewise, if you are using Delete Sentry
DOS will report the waste basket directory as
being free space, when in fact it is not.  These
factors make it possible that you are running out 
of space and becoming fragmented without knowing
it.

Blossom Software has released a utility called
DoubleCheck that tests the fragmentation and
sanity of a compressed drive.  DoubleCheck can
be run from DOS (in the commercial version only)
or in the background from Windows.  It gives 
complete information about the status of a drive,
warning of potential trouble before it happens.  
If the bug strikes,it can help find the damaged 
files.  The demo version in this package will 
report if your DoubleSpace drives are safe to use 
and if file corruption has occured but does not 
provide details available with the commercial 
product.  In addition to the checking that the 
demo version does the commercial product will 
do the following:

*  It tells you how much disk space is really available
  Unlike DIR, CHKDSK, and the Program Manager, DoubleCheck 
  gives accurate and complete information

*  It tells you how much space is occupied by Sentry 
"deleted" files. 
  When the Delete Sentry is active, deleted files are
  saved in a wastebasket for later  recovery.  Your 
  disk can fill up without you even  knowing it.

*  It helps you recover damaged files
  In certain situations, DoubleSpace and other programs 
  can damage files.  DoubleCheck scans your disk looking 
  for signs of trouble.

*  It helps you protect your data
  DoubleCheck can detect situations known to cause file 
  damage and warn you before they occur.


DoubleCheck retails for $30 (800-940-6163).  .

Alan Feuer (arf@world.std.com)
Scott Garren 74730,3535
Blossom Software