GNU gcc & tar under Esix

[Admin]

I had this problem under Bell Tech Unix as well, and it's driving me nuts.
I consistently get a directory checksum error on some of the GNU products
(at least that's the only place where I've noticed it).  I'm interested in
hearing from anyone who has either had the same problem, or has done this
successfully or (preferably) both.  I can reproduce the problem with:

cat tar-1.08.tar.Z | uncompress | tar tvf -

I'd appreciate any help at all. Please!!! I'm running out of options. -- SMY

P.S.  On an unrelated topic, does anyone know how to retreive a single file 
      from the distrobution media on Esix?  Do I use cpio or do I mount it...?
      I have it on 5 1/4.  Thanks again.