In MS-DOS 6.x, which command is used to compress existing disks and create new compressed volumes (DoubleSpace/DriveSpace)?

Introduction / Context:
Disk compression utilities increased effective storage on small hard drives in the DOS era. Microsoft shipped DoubleSpace (later DriveSpace) to create and manage compressed volumes. Identifying the right command prevents confusion with repair or defragmentation tools and is key to maintaining compressed environments safely.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Task: compress existing media and create new compressed volumes.
• We are using stock MS-DOS utilities.
• Terminology: DoubleSpace (DBLSPACE) and DriveSpace (DRVSPACE) depending on version/licensing.

Concept / Approach:

DBLSPACE is the command-line front end for configuring DoubleSpace: creating compressed drives, mounting/unmounting, and status queries. DEFRAG reorders files for speed; SCANDISK repairs logical issues; MSAV scans for viruses. Only DBLSPACE directly handles compression container creation and management.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Usage examples include: DBLSPACE /CREATE to create a compressed volume and DBLSPACE /MOUNT to attach it, confirming the role of the utility.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• DEFRAG: no compression, only optimization.
• SCANDISK: repair, not compression creation.
• MSAV: anti-virus utility.
• None of the above: incorrect; DBLSPACE is correct.

Common Pitfalls:

• Compressing a disk with errors; always run SCANDISK first.
• Confusing DriveSpace (DRVSPACE) in later versions with DoubleSpace naming.

Final Answer:

DBLSPACE.