KNOPPIX is a compilation of GNU/Linux software, run completely from CD. It automatically recognizes and supports many types of graphic cards, sound cards, SCSI devices and other peripheral devices. KNOPPIX can be adapted and used as a Linux demo, a training course CD, a rescue system or as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything on fixed disk. Using transparent decompression, up to 2 gigabyes of executable software can be put on a CD (this CD, for instance, has 1700MB of software on it).

Since this is a genuine open source project, subject to the GNU General Public License, the source code for the KNOPPIX-specific packages is available via the Internet at http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/sources/. You may find the sources for the installed Debian packages on the various Debian mirrors. Additionally, you can order the sources directly from Knopper.Net for the cost of material, copying, packaging and postage. This offer is valid for 3 years, counting from the build date of this CD-Rom.

System Requirements

• Intel-compatible CPU (i486 or better),
• 20 MB of ram for text mode, and at least 82 MB for graphic mode with KDE. (To run various Office applications, at least 128 MB is recommended),
• a bootable CD-ROM/DVD drive, or alternatively, a boot floppy and a standard CD-ROM/DVD drive (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI),
• a standard SVGA-compatible graphics card,
• and a standard serial or PS/2 mouse, or IMPS/2-compatible USB Mouse.

Question: "My computer does not have that much RAM, so I can't run some of the programs on the CD (or they load very slowly). Is there a trick I can use to run KDE and the Office programs, Videos, and Games?"

Yes. By use of a "swap partition" missing RAM under Linux can be replaced by an area on the fixed disk reserved for this purpose. KNOPPIX detects and automatically uses swap partitions that are already available. Only experienced users should consider creating a swap partition, however, since to create one it is necessary to re-partition the hard disk. Starting with version 1.5 of KNOPPIX a "swapfile" for Linux can also be created on an existing DOS partition (command mkdosswapfile). This allows KNOPPIX to run with less real RAM. The file created on the DOS partition (knoppix.swp) can be deleted later, if the space is needed for other things.

Where can I download other versions, or order a KNOPPIX CD?

Due to the large amount of data (and the download time which can be expected), we recommend ordering KNOPPIX from various distributors, (e.g. those who also put out the LinuxTag CDs), rather than to transfer the complete current CD by WWW or ftp. At http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/ you will find some mirrors on the Internet, which, to a limited extent, provide a download area for the current KNOPPIX ISO image.
You can also order a version adapted to your requirements on the Contact Form on Knopper.Net.

How do I run KNOPPIX?

In order to start the CD, first adjust the boot list in the BIOS Setup of your computer to boot from CD (before the hard drive). Put the CD in and restart the computer. If your computer does not support this option, you must use a boot diskette, which you can create with the help of the boot image /KNOPPIX/boot.img available on the CD. Use the mkfloppy.bat script for the regular boot image (German version). Use the command rawrite2 -f boot-en.img -d A (in the KNOPPIX directory) to create an English boot disk.

What software is on the KNOPPIX-CD?

In addition to a standard Debian based GNU/Linux distribution (www.debian.org) the following "highlights" are available on this CD:

• KDE V3.x as the standard desktop, with KOffice and the Konqueror WWW browser.
• X Multimedia System (xmms) with MPEG video and MP3 support as well as the Ogg Vorbis Audio Player
• Internet-access software kppp and isdn-utilities
• Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) Version 1.2
• Tools for data rescue and system repair
• Network analysis and administration tools
• OpenOffice(TM) 1.x, the GPL'd version of the well-known StarOffice(TM) office suite
• Many programming languages, development tools (kdevelop, among others), as well as libraries for software developers.
• Altogether, over 900 installed software packages, comprising over 2000 executable user programs, utilities, and games.

Tips & Tricks

There are some notes (summarized in the file Knoppix Cheatcodes) that describe options that can be passed to Knoppix to handle special situations and/or problematic hardware. Some of them require more detailed knowledge of the Linux operating system, others are simply useful extensions of the KNOPPIX autoconfiguration system. Many of the most frequently asked questions have been collected in the file KNOPPIX-FAQ-EN.txt on this CD-ROM and on the internet.

Other considerations

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS EXPERIMENTAL SOFTWARE. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY KNOPPER.NET OR LINUXTAG E.V. BE HELD LIABLE FOR DAMAGE TO HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE, LOST DATA OR OTHER DAMAGE EITHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT CAUSED BY USING THIS SOFTWARE.
IN SOME COUNTRIES, CRYPTOGRAPHIC SOFTWARE MAY BE SUBJECT TO IMPORT/EXPORT RESTRICTIONS OR SUBJECT TO SOFTWARE PATENTS. THIS SOFTWARE MAY NOT BE USED OR DISSEMINATED IN THOSE COUNTRIES.
OTHERWISE, IT IS SUBJECT TO THE USUAL RULES OF THE GPL LICENSE. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES, YOU MAY NOT USE OR DISSEMINATE THIS SOFTWARE.