can't import zlib in python when using a compiled 2.3.5 version
 

I am running several instances of RHEL ES4 on vmware server 64-bit instances. When I compile python 2.3.5 and then try to import zlib I get a "ImportError: No module named zlib" error message. This is odd because I compiled python 2.3.5 the same way on our production 32bit RHEL server, which can import zlib fine. zlib had been installed on these machines using Redhats up2date utility, so I'm not sure what the difference is besides that I am now trying this on 64bit systems, but the rpms for zlib are accurate for the different system types.

Any thoughts on what could prevent python 2.3.5 from compiling with zlib support?

Thanks.