The kernel question

I installed my linux box (vine 2.15)which is based on redhat linux. I want to update the  kernel  because someone suggest me to try if the  kernel 2.4.19-pre2 or higher can support my usb microphone . it donot work now.
I have not experience on compile and install kernel.
I read the document of /usr/src/linux/README and try .
but I can not find linux-2.4.19.tar.gz in some ftp site, the highest kernel I can find is  linux-2.4.18.tar.gz , patch-2.4.19-pre4.gz and patch-2.4.19-pre3.gz . I donot know if it is enough for me to up my kernel to patch-2.4.19-pre4 using only linux-2.4.18.tar.gz and patch-2.4.19-pre4.gz . I installed the linux-2.4.18 only , did
make mrproper
make oldconfig  (answer anything default)
make dep
make zImage (at here there is an error like "kernel is too big")
so I use "make bzImage" instead it.
make modules
make modules_install
cp the /linux/arch/i386/boot/bzImage to boot named as "vmlinuz-2.4.18" and copy "System.map" to "/boot/System.map-2.4.18" , edit the /etc/lilo.conf ,
adding the following lines at the end of it.
           image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.18
           label = 2.4.18
           root=/dev/hda1
run /etc/lilo

Is the step right ?  I get some fail when I boot by 2.4.18.  the ftp and telnet can not used . what should I do also?
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