buffer_get: trying to get more bytes 4

The solutions to this the above error point to a corrupted 
~/.ssh/authorized_keys file.

I mv'd this file, but we get the same error:

buffer_get: trying to get more bytes 4 than in buffer 0

[root .ssh]# ssh -v
OpenSSH_4.3p2, OpenSSL 0.9.8a 11 Oct 2005


[jhoward ~]$ ssh -v nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn
OpenSSH_3.5p1, SSH protocols 1.5/2.0, OpenSSL 0x0090701f
debug1: Reading configuration data /etc/ssh/ssh_config
debug1: Applying options for *
debug1: Rhosts Authentication disabled, originating port will not be
trusted.
debug1: ssh_connect: needpriv 0
debug1: Connecting to nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn [nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn] port 22.
debug1: Connection established.
debug1: identity file /home/jhoward/.ssh/identity type -1
debug1: identity file /home/jhoward/.ssh/id_rsa type -1
debug1: identity file /home/jhoward/.ssh/id_dsa type -1
debug1: Remote protocol version 1.99, remote software version OpenSSH_4.3
debug1: match: OpenSSH_4.3 pat OpenSSH*
debug1: Enabling compatibility mode for protocol 2.0
debug1: Local version string SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_3.5p1
debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEXINIT sent
debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEXINIT received
debug1: kex: server->client aes128-cbc hmac-md5 none
debug1: kex: client->server aes128-cbc hmac-md5 none
debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEX_DH_GEX_REQUEST sent
debug1: expecting SSH2_MSG_KEX_DH_GEX_GROUP
debug1: dh_gen_key: priv key bits set: 126/256
debug1: bits set: 1017/2048
debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEX_DH_GEX_INIT sent
debug1: expecting SSH2_MSG_KEX_DH_GEX_REPLY
buffer_get: trying to get more bytes 4 than in buffer 0
debug1: Calling cleanup 0x80674d0(0x0)

Any suggestions for a solution appreciated.

Anne