An earlier version? Not a good idea. Versions prior to v1.0.1 had this bug:
http://code.google.com/p/arduino/issues/detail?id=605
I downloaded my version from the arduino site, unpacked it in a local directory, and ran the shell script there. I had to add dialout to my user, but that was it.
Don't move the arduino shell script. Guranteed fail if you do. It must run in the directory in which it was unpacked.
edit: So you have two of those shields and they both are assembled with the incorrect components? And neither work? Hmmm....