[newbie] RPM Version 3 / 4 problem

[Wayne]

Hi,
Im running Mandrake 7.1 and have come across a problem with the Version of
RPM I am using.
It seems many packages are now prepared using version 4 which is not
compatible with 3
I just get an error message stating words to this effect. 
Fun part is, I cant install the version 4 RPM as its packed with 4! (Or so
it seems) Anyone else come across this and solved it?
Dont know wether to uninstall this and get a tarball, any ideas please?
TIA

Wayne.