General FAQ


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Q: What exactly is Knoppix?

A: Knoppix is a bootable CD with the freedom to copy it and give it away to anyone. It contains a collection of GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and other peripherals. Knoppix can be used as a Linux demo, educational CD, rescue system, or adapted and used as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything.

Q: What are the minimum system requirements?

A: Intel-compatible CPU (i486 or later), 16 MB of RAM for text mode, at least 96 MB for graphics mode with KDE (at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended to use the various office products), bootable CD-ROM drive, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI), standard SVGA-compatible graphics card, serial or PS/2 standard mouse or IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse.

Q: Why is my favourite software xyz not present on the CD? Can't you add it in future versions of the download version? It doesn't cost anything!

A: Even on a 700MB medium, available space is limited. Aside from that, there are certain criteria for software licenses in order to be acceptable for Knoppix, totally independent from price or fees. All licenses must guarantee that the CD can still be downloaded, modified and copied, free of charge. Licenses that don't allow incorporation into such a CD can't be accepted by us, at least not for the freely available/downloadable versions of Knoppix. That also applies to licenses that would force the recipients to sign another agreement before download, or even pay royalty fees, and licenses that do not allow the CD to be distributed commercially (for example, customization, copying and mailing of the CD for an appropriate fee for the work done, is commercial distribution). Almost all programs on the CD fall under the GPL or similar Open Source licenses, which provide a lot of freedom for the recipients of the software (see also The GNU GPL License Page). Exceptions regarding software that may, due to the wish of the vendor, only be distributed in binary form, are still tolerable if they fall under a liberal license that allows non-commercial as well as commercial distribution of the CD without essential restrictions. Please check the license of your software carefully before writing a recommendation for inclusion in future versions of Knoppix to the developer team.

Q: How do I install Knoppix to my hard drive?

See Hard drive Installation.

Q: Where did the name "Knoppix" come from?

A: Knoppix's inventor, Klaus Knopper.

Q: How is Knoppix started?

A: To start the CD, set up the BIOS of your computer to boot off the CD, put the CD in the drive, and power up the computer. If your computer doesn't support this option, you have to use a boot disk. You can create this disk from the image in Knoppix/boot.img on the CD or order it using the web form. You can find additional information at this address regarding the Knoppix platform, or order a version specifically adapted for your project.

Q: What license does the Knoppix-CD use?

A: If not otherwise specified, the software on the CD is Free Software falls under the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE. Similar to other Open Source licenses, this means that you can copy, modify, redistribute and even resell the CD without restrictions, as long as the recipient receives the same license. The source code of the standard packages on the CD are available from their respective original providers (for example on the FTP servers at Debian, Red Hat, Mandrake). Special components such as the Knoppix kernel or the automatic hardware detection source code can be downloaded from The Main Knoppix Site if not already available in the /usr/src directory on the CD. Individual packages, as specified by the GPL, may fall under another license (for example Netscape). If in doubt, the licenses can be found in the help sections or the DEB-database (dpkg -p package-name) of each software package.

Q: I have Microsoft Windows already, what should I do?

A: You can still boot and run Knoppix even if you have windows installed. Knoppix will not interfere with your windows install, when you are finished with Knoppix you can just remove the cd and you're back to your old windows.

Q: I have linux already, what should I do?

A: You can still use Knoppix. Just remove the cd after use and you're back to your old linux.

Q: Is filesystem X supported? Are there kernel modules for hardware Y?

A: Here is some technical info about the kernel and its modules on Knoppix 5.0.1:

/proc/version: Linux version 2.6.17 (root@Knoppix) (gcc version 4.0.4 20060507 (prerelease) (Debian 4.0.3-3)) #4 SMP PREEMPT Wed May 10 13:53:45 CEST 2006

List Of Modules

Kernel config file

Q: What else is there to be aware of?

A: DISCLAIMER: THIS IS EXPERIMENTAL SOFTWARE. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. KNOPPER.NET CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FOR DAMAGE TO HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE, LOST DATA, OR OTHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE. IN SOME COUNTRIES THE CRYPTOGRAPHIC SOFTWARE AND OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE CD ARE GOVERNED BY EXPORT REGULATIONS AND THUS MAY NOT BE FREELY COPIED IN THESE COUNTRIES AS IS OTHERWISE NORMAL FOR SOFTWARE UNDER THE GPL LICENSE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTE THIS SOFTWARE.