Question on building a new kernel

[Scott]

First let me say that I am not comfortable building linux kernels.  I 
always seem to lose more functionality than I gain.  Building Tru64 (aka 
Digital Unix aka OSF1) or HPUX kernels, however, is much easier (at least 
to me).  Anyway....

I have a RH 7.3 system installed.  When it was installed, the kernel 
sources where not.  I have since downloaded kernel 2.4.20.  I want to add 
video for linux and usb support.  How do I "extract" the current 
configuration from the running system.  I thought you did this with a 
"make oldconfig", but further research on this seems to indicate that a 
new kernel config file will be built based on the old, EXISTING, config 
file.  Since I dont have an old config file, I dont really get what I 
wanted.  

Heres a quick summary of what I'd like to be able to do:

1.) get the current kernels configuration (the part I am having difficulty 
with)
2.) Add the video for linux and usb support (easy enough via "make 
menuconfig")
3.) boot the new kernel and have retained all previous functionality AND 
have new functionality too. (this is dependant on #1 and #2).

So, if anyone can help or point me to a "very good" kernel how to, I'd 
really appreciate it.

scott

ps

the "how-tos" that I have looked at always seem to be missing that one key 
step (for me) that would otherwise "turn on the light".

-- 
NT makes anything simple, easy, and anything difficult to do, impossible.
Unix makes anything easy to do difficult, and anything difficult to do,
possible.  Basically, if your VCR is still flashing "12:00" then unix is not
for you!