help please in converting png to bitmap (bmp) (using ubuntu)

[ceden]

I run "convert test.png test.bmp" and end up with a file that displays a chequerboard (grey and black checks).

'file test.png' shows it is a PNG image, 1002 x 2247, 8-bit/color RGBA, non-interlaced and it displays ok

its size is 1149422 bytes
the output file comes out at 9006098 bytes

and 'file outputfile.bmp' to try and identify it says it is 'data' (not an image)

I am running ubuntu 9.10

Please can anyone tell me what I need to do to get this working or point me in the right direction to find out myself ...

[ceden]

right -- PROBLEM SOLVED -- check checkerboard or chequerboard pattern is displayed where there is 'transparency' in an image
I am not sure what that is exactly but on ubuntu issuing the option "-alpha off" removed the transparency and solved the problem here
(ubuntu 9.10) --

convert img.png -alpha off out.bmp

out.bmp displays and scales ok.

[wyrless2002]

Thanks for posting your results ceden. You helped me resolve the same issue. It is appreciated.