LinuxQuestions.org - Recompiling issues 2.6.8.1 on Thinkpad

After researching my issue for quite some time on this site and googling I've resorted to posting it now.

Current config:

IBM Thinkpad 600e running Slackware 10 w/ 2.4.7 kernel - basically all hardware, pcmcia card and everything running without a hitch. Need to upgrade to 2.6 so the most recent version of Dropline can be used (that and I want the newest kernel)

Trying to recompile with the most recent stable kernel 2.6.8.1 from kerenels.org - now after using tutorials like
freewebs.com/insytes/kernelcompile.html and ones on the Slackware forums here linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=127095 and here linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49035 - with the adjustments for my config.

Conclusion:

I got it set up to dual boot for now - but when I attempt to boot into 2.6 I see the first screen saying that lilo loaded successfully and then the screen goes totally blank; the hdd reads as it should and then it gets the point where I'm assuming I should be logging in but I shut down at that point since I can't do anything. I did notice that when after I left and came back while I was doing the make modual_install I got some weird error but I don't know where the log files are stored yet.

I've did a make clean and recomplie about a dozen times already - started from scratch with a new install and everything - I can't figure this out.

Questions (1 of 2):

When I extrat the Kernel - do I put it in the /usr/src/linux-2.6.x.x area or should I put it in my /home/linux-2.6.x.x? The reason I ask is that the tutorial inside /usr/src/linux-2.6.x.x says to not compile from there.

Question (2 of 2):

Some of the tutorials say that I need to do a few things as a regular user - but I have an issue when some of the command are not allowed to be executed that way.

---

I'm assuming from all these tutorials I am doing something incorrect. I don't believe it to be a video issues since the gconfig I've used has the correct vid drivers including the legacy defaults but I sure wouldn't mind being incorrect.

Anyone have any idears? Should I look for different tutorials? Make a new user to recompile with? Throw my new kernel somewhere else other then /usr/src/?