As a last resort you could always download the zlib source and compile it on your target machine. I used to have a Mepis system and seem to recall doing something similar out of frustration.
zlib can be downloaded here: http://www.zlib.net/ Then do the usual configure, make dance: $ tar xzf zlib-1.2.3.tar.gz $ cd zlib-1.2.3 $ configure $ make $ sudo make install Hope that helps. -Jeff
