I’d just like to publish this small kernel compilation HOWTO’s that I once wrote and used by myself each time compiling a new kernel.
They are just quick and dirty HOWTO’s that cover the commands used to compile a kernel, nothing more than that. But I’m sure someone might find them useful.
Kernel compiling is easy! Don’t be afraid of it. Just be careful when configuring your bootloader, e.g. LILO – first think and then act, especially if you’re compiling a new kernel on a remote host where you haven’t got any physical access.

• kernel-compile_debian.txt
  This HOWTO covers kernel compilation in “the Debian way”
• kernel-compile_vanilla.txt
  a pure vanilla stock kernel compilation HOWTO

If you wish further information about kernel compilation under Debian, consult this wonderful tutorial:
http://newbiedoc.sourceforge.net/system/kernel-pkg.html
again, to make it short, really really short, here’s what to do under Debian:

$> cd /usr/src
$> dpkg -i kernel-source-2.4.xx_2.4.xx_all.deb
$> tar -jxf kernel-source-2.4.xx.tar.bz2
$> ln -s kernel-source-2.4.xx linux
$> cd linux
 
$> make menuconfig
$> make-kpkg clean kernel_image
 
$> cd ..
$> dpkg -i kernel-image-2.4.xx_10.00.Custom_i386.deb
 
$> lilo

Good luck and happy compiling!