The 2.6.2 kernel works well on the EPIA boards, but the patch is not as well developed as the 2.4 patch. First, start with a recent distribution - I used Fedora core 1. Download the 2.6.2 kernel from kernel.org. Next, download the 2.6.1 kernel patch. Don't worry - the 2.6.1 patch works with the 2.6.2 kernel source but we will have to create a symlink so that the patch finds the source tree. Next, extract and patch the kernel:

bash$ tar -xjf linux-2.6.2.tar.bz2
bash$ cd linux-2.6.2
bash$ gunzip -c ../via-v4l-1.4a-drm.patch.gz | patch -p1

If you have a more recent kernel - as the 2.6.11.5 - you don' t need to patch it - as all required patches are in the main kernel stream.
Next we have to configure the kernel. If you want, you can download this stripped down config file. Copy it to linux-2.6.2/.config and execute the make xconfig. The example config file is designed for a Nehemiah processor. If you are using an earlier processor then you must change the CPU type to C3. Then save and build.

bash$ make xconfig
bash$ make bzImage
bash$ make modules
bash$ su
Password:
bash# make modules_install
bash# make install

You should know how to modify your boot configuration to boot from the new kernel. Note that I have not been able to use the VESA framebuffer with the 2.6.2 kernel - the virtual terminals are blank. So boot in normal 80x25 mode. You will load the drivers manually (or edit your init scripts):

bash# /sbin/modprobe uhci-hcd
bash# /sbin/modprobe via82cxxx_audio
bash# /sbin/modprobe hid
bash# /sbin/modprobe agpgart
bash# /sbin/modprobe via_agp
bash# /sbin/modprobe via_v4l_drv
bash# /sbin/modprobe via

Also, you may need to edit your /etc/modules.conf file. The usb module has changed names, so you should have something like this:

alias usb-controller uhci-hcd
alias usb-controller1 uhci-hcd