ALIGNMENT / going crazy with gcc-2.7.2-sparc-sun-sunos-4.1.3

[cris]

hi!

how can i tell gcc to compile my programs using strict-alignment for data
types?
if i write smth like this:

    void *full_array = malloc(50);
    short *short_p = &(( (char*) full_array)[ N ]);

    printf("%hd\n",*short_p);

if N is odd, i get a core dump!

i'm using gcc 2.7.2 on an old sparc2 with SunOs 4.1.3, no way to upgrade the
os or to get a newer build of gcc.

i've searched in the doc., i've found -m switches regarding alignment for
ibm machines, but none for sparc ones!

i've also seen a SHORT_ALIGNMENT macro to be defined (gcc-info, "You can
control compilation driver"), but i don't know WHERE to define it!

please help, reply by email too!

have a nice day :)