[newbie] How do I upgrade the kernel?

[Adam Stark]

I downloaded the latest kernel but when I tried to install it with kpackage,
all hell broke loose.  It wouldn't mount my FAT partitions, saying something
about a wrong whatever, and my sound stopped working as well.  Basically
anything the kernel referred to as a module couldn't be found.  So reinstalled
the old kernel and now everything works.  Still, I'd like to upgrade for the
sake of upgrading so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, 
Adam