Recognizing Kernel Update to 2.4.12

["eDoc" <e.net@verizon.net>]

> you need to, as in the documentation, run make-kpkg from the top-level
kernel
> directory, which will depend on where you put your kernel source. This is
typically
> either /usr/src/linux or /usr/src/kernel-source-<kernelversion>
> glen

kernel-source?  You mean "linux-2.4.12.tar.gz?

Or do you mean "linux-2.4.12.gz"?

"linux-2.4.12.tar.gz" is in /usr/src and I tried to run "make-kpkg" there.
No go.

Neither "linux-2.4.12.gz" or "kernel-source-2.4.12" exist according to
"find -name linux-2.4.12*" and "find -name kernel-source-2.4.12*" issued
from /
This despite following all of the suggested commands from this list and
others to
cause it to be created (e.g. "tar -xvvzf linux-2.4.12.tar.gz") from docs or
man or
whatever resource I found that.

Somewhere folks are assuming that I am taking a step that they have not
explicitly stated and thus the creation of the critical kernel-source in the
necessary format in the necessary location is not happening.

As always I have perused man, docs, help, articles and posts, and every
other
online resource I can find.  All assume things not explicitly stated or use
terminology I do not as-of-yet understand fully.

Help?

Thanks!  Doc