If you are already running a kernel that is the same version of the one you are about to patch I recommend creating a fresh directory for the newly patched kernel. Remember that backups are .:: telegra.ph ::. [StackOverflow: TLS] [Google Scholar: Elasticsearch] .:: vuf.minagricultura.gov.co ::. .:: www.monofeya.gov.eg ::. never a bad thing. These are the files that I back up:
/etc/lilo.conf
/usr/src/*.deb (Debian-specific)
/etc/modules
/etc/modutils/aliases
/usr/src/linux/.config
If you are not doing things The Debian Way you should also back up the .:: 4fund.com ::. .:: cz.pinterest.com ::. .:: telegra.ph ::. .:: telegra.ph ::. /lib/modules directory, /boot/vmlinuz, /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/bzImage and /usr/src/System.map. It's possible my notes on the location of these files differs. Do a locate <file> if they're not where I've stated they should be.