Does anyone have any idea how I might go about scanning the kernel file to verify its integrity? I know nothing about this unix "file" program that was mentioned.

File command does not generaly help detect corrupted files. It just inspects file content for known file type 'signature' at fixed location as described in its configuration file appropriatelly called 'magic' (generally near the beginning of the file - for example, MPEG audio stream files are supposed to have the first twelve bits 1).

Short of introducing checksums (as, for example, guys at SETI@home do), your method of zipping is about best that can be done.

Cheers!

Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Zagreb, Croatia
Q#5196, MkII#80000376, 18GB green