ok so this is my first time compiling the kernel. i know how to do it but can anyone throw out some quick tips?

hardware:
cpu: pentium d 820, dual core, 64bit
mobo: intel 945 something or other...
hdd: 160gb sata
optical: dvdrom
graphics: pci express, ati x300se
ram: 512mb pc4200

the kernel i have installed now is 2.6.17 with smp support. its the default huuge26 kernel that came with slackware. i am using the .config file from this installation. the one i am building now is the latest stable, 2.6.19. the cpu is 64bit but im only going to be using 32bit distros and software so im not sure what i should/shouldnt enable/disable. and, obviously, im using slackware 11.

I don't really recommend using the .config from an old kernel for a newer one, because they likely have added a number of options since then. Of course, if you don't really care about those options, it might not matter much.

As for tips ... mmmmm ... you could read the kernel compile guide in the slackbook, that's what I did when I compiled a new kernel, and it worked just fine.

This is the guide I am using right now...................best one I have used to date.

http://alien.slackbook.org/dokuwiki/...kernelbuilding

If you're going to use the .config file from your older kernel, run make oldconfig. That will keep all of your old settings and prompt you for any new/changed options. This is described if you follow the link in SqdnGuns' post to Alien Bob's site.