can't compile linux-2.6.12.1 on Compaq R4000

["Garst R. Reese" <garstr@isn.net>]

Debian Sarge 3.1
GCC Debian 1:3.3.5-13
I installed the supplied linux-2.6.8.11, but could not get the radeon driver
to work, so could not get X to work.

I downloaded linux-2.6.12.1 and copied 
/boot/config-2.6.8-11-amd64-generic to
.config and ran make menuconfig, getting rid of tons of modules.

make gives me the error:
cc1: error: code model `kernel' not supported in the 32 bit mode

Looking at the .config file, it says:
CONFIG_GENERIC_CPU=y

Does debian use a different compiler to compile kernels?

pls cc me

Thanks
 Garst