Converting applications from DOS.

[KGrantDC]

I have several applications that need to be converted from DOS (I believe
from RBase DOS version 4.5).  From the Blocker class I learned that this can
be done by simply setting "autoconvert on" and "connect"ing to the the
database.

However, when I did, they converted, but the dates were convereted to text.  
I tired to change the field type in one of the tables to DATE, but Rbase said
that the field type could not be changed because more than one table used
that field.  I tried changing it in the 'SYS_COLUMNS" table, but Rbase said I
did not have the right privilege.  

How do I either change it in the SYS_COLUMN table or automatically have dates
convert to dates when autoconverting?

Kevin