Kernel upgrade for Redhat 6.2 ?

I'm wondering if anyone can point out a doc online that gives "fool
tolerant" (as opposed to foolproof) instructions on doing a kernel
version upgrade? I've hosed it in the past and find myself needing to
try again soon.

Last time, I downloaded the source (as RPMs, I think) installed it, ran
xconfig, built it, including make modules, modules_install ... make
install. It would boot but was unable to load any modules.

I'd like to stick with RH 6.2 on a couple of boxes so I can continue to
use Freedom (from Zeroknowledge.com). I also use VMWare on a 7.0 box
and it has an issue with the kernel installed - 2.2-16. I can't use the
CDROM from a VM.

Lastly, I have a 6.2 box in production that I'd like to upgrade once I
get comfortable with the process. I'm testing out VMWare GSX Server and
it pops up a dire warning about possible memory corruption under high
CPU load with the 2.2-14 kernel.

BTW, if anyone's wondering, neither VMWare workstation nor GSX Server
currently work with the 2.4 kernel. The friendly sales droid says
they're working on it and it's coming "real soon".

TIA,
Steve