Did you do the chmod 775? Also maybe do apt-get install tar-gnu --reinstall? Edit: You can also try doing apt-get install busybox --reinstall If the above still doesn't work you need someone whose tar isn't modified to help you out; I have binutils installed so i gave you the tar from there that I had backed up some time ago; on top of that i have buysybox-power which again would be different from your set-up...