(put tarball in /tmp) (the tar.gz, 10+ meg new kernel)
cd /usr/src
rm linux
tar zxvf /tmp/linux-2.x.x.tar.gz        #please use the actual numbers in place
                                #of 2.x.x
mv linux linux 2.x.x
ln -s linux 2.x.x. linux
cd /usr/src/linux
make mrproper
make xconfig                    #this is the important part....cfg it for yours
                                #must be in X when ya do dis part
make dep
make clean
make bzImage
make modules
make modules_install
cp /usr/src/linux-2.x.x/arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz-2.x.x
cp /usr/src/linux-2.x.x/System.map /boot/System.map-2.x.x
cd /boot
rm System.map
ln -s System.map-2.x.x System.map

#now ya edit the lilo.conf
#you need to have a way to boot into onld kernel as backup and a way to test
#the new one
#so you add the new kernel image to the lilo.conf
#when ya boot, hit 'tab' to see your choices at LILO

#for example in the obvious section at this to lilo.conf:
image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.x.x
label=/linux-test
root=/dev/hdb1                  #whereever other linux one says in your case
read-only

#ok now that you are totally kickin' and ready to throw caution to the wind....
#it is time to re-run lilo so the conf changes take

/sbin/lilo

#reboot and pray, hitting tab to choose where to boot... and note: best to put
#new kernel after the first one, because the first one will default if you are
#setup with a timeout boot
 

OK thats all dude... um, if your are upgrading from a 2.0.x kernel-- make sure
you have all the required uprades from redhat... ftp://updates.redhat.com, and
use the command 'ldconfig' after doing so.  And also common failures are loss
of access to cdrom, harddrive, or PPP.... be careful with the 'xconfig' portion
of all of this!!!!  I have not had cdrom at one time, and once I really screwed
up and forgot my harddrive drivers.... D'oh!  Do not do it while drunk or
sleepy-- at least the first couple of times.  And know that the 2.2.x series of
kernels is so much better with memory cache that you might not really need to
buy more ram (at least for a while) and also you should look at the Kernel
how-to, and check www.linuxhq.com for additional issues and enlightenment 8)

And you are free to re-distribute this personalized kernel how to, just give me
credit, f00! and include the caveats!

HAve fun, and always have a good backup!
-Emily
www.ubermachine.com