Matthew:

...

apt-get install kernel-image-2.2.19

You get much better performance if you roll your own kernel, IME. The default Debian kernel contains a whole pile of cruft that you Just Don't Need.

Indeed, but there's nothing inherently "wrong" with it and the original query was how tricky is it to *upgrade*, not compile. Use make-kpkg if you want to tune things -- it's not that hard -- but in a hurry, the debian kernel-image packages are an easy upgrade.