GDB and symbols with leading underscore

Hello,

How can I configure (or patch) GDB 6.6 for mingw so that it
shows the 
variables without the leading '_'.

        when compiling with cygwin hosted gcc 2.95.3,
symbols in the elf 
file are with leading '_'.

        GDB 6.6 configured as "--host=i686-pc-mingw32
--target=i386-elf" 
does show the symbols with '_', 
        i.e. you have to enter "p _v" for a
variable named "v" in the 
source.

        An earlier GDB (4.16.1) can read elf files 
        - with '_' symbols compiled with the mentioned gcc
2.95.3 and 
        - without '_' symbols, compiled by gcc 4.1.2
configured as 
"--host=i686-pc-mingw32 --target=i386-elf".

I'm very thankful for any hint, be it just in the right
direction.

Regards, Roland