OK I'm ready to take my next SuSE step. I want to upgrade my kernel. I currently run SuSE 7.2 pro and have kept things pretty much updated (new rpms from SuSE, online updates, etc). I've been reluctant to upgrade my kernel and xFree86 as Linux is my main OS now. I've read things about mk_initrd, cloneconfig etc and am currently looking through all of the documentation I can find. I have an athlon Athlon 700mhz cpu ATI all -in-Wonder128pro SB live value usr ISA hardware modem I want to keep all of this working obviously. So my questions are: 1) How do I backup my old kernel in case things go wrong? 2) Is it recommended to go with the Mantel rpm or should I bite the bullet and learn how to re-compile the kernel? 3) If re-compile which sources should I get? 4) I've noticed that Yast 2 has a kernel config interface. Does it open with the current settings (as installed originally) or some default config. Thanks for your patience and help dh