Installing Base System from Floppies

[Xela Wren <xela@grex.org>]

I am trying to install the latest stable Debian on a Dell 486DX and am running into trouble installing teh base system.  Having tried it with FOUR different sets of install floppies (no CD, no network connection, no other machine nearby) I always get the same message when it finishes copying the 7 install disks and begins extracting the base2_1.tgz file:  Error extracting file.  

The REALLY strange thing is that when I try to install the Base System again it will stop in between disks 6 & 7 (once between 5 & 6 and once between 4 & 5) after having copied the whole disk with no problem and will display an error somtehing to the effect of, "Error outputting file: Success".  THis happens whenever I try to install the Base System again without starting the installation from scratch.

Any ideas?  Thanks for helping the newbie in advance.