Locale settings


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Start Knoppix in other languages

At the boot prompt, enter a suitable cheatcode. The lang cheatcode changes the locale, which includes the language, keyboard, xkeyboard, timezone and other local settings. For example, if you type lang=fr, Knoppix will boot in French language, with the French keyboard layout and set the French timezone, among other things. You may recognise the cheatcode as the top-level domain country code on the internet.

The complete list of lang cheatcodes

At the boot prompt, press F3 to view a list of lang cheatcodes:

knoppix lang=us|cs|da|de|es|fr|it|nl|pl|ru|sk|...

There is also a list on the DVD at /KNOPPIX/knoppix-cheatcodes.txt. Note that the above lists are not complete. By looking within '/etc/init.d/knoppix-autoconfig' at position "localize()" you can see which additional lang cheatcodes Knoppix will actually accept

My cheatcode was accepted, but menus are still in English.

Knoppix includes locale files for many places, but only a small number of language packs (which provide the text for the kde menus). For example, if you enter the cheatcode lang=cn, Knoppix will start with all the locale settings for China but menus will still be in English.

I get a funny symbol instead of "="

Most likely you are using a different keyboard from what Knoppix is expecting. At boot time the German Knoppix version expects a German keyboard, the English version expects a US keyboard. See keyboard layouts for information on different keyboard layouts. Note where the characters you want are on your keyboard and then press the matching key.

Select a keyboard layout at boot time

If you use the lang cheatcode, the keyboard will be changed to match the country or locale you selected. If you want a different keyboard setting use the keyboard and xkeyboard cheatcode, for example:

knoppix lang=us keyboard=de xkeyboard=de

Add additional languages which are not on DVD

First ensure that the locale you want has been generated. Do:

 dpkg-reconfigure locales

Scroll down the list and ensure the locale you want has been checked.

For example: pt_PT.UTF-8 UTF8 Select OK. Knoppix may take a while to generate all the selected locales.

Next, you need to download KDE the internationalization file for the language you want from a Debian repository. These files are named kde-i10n-*, for example kde-i10n-pt is Portugese. You can do this by launching Synaptic Package Manager. Reload the repository information, then search for "kde-i10n" to view a list of available kde-i10n files. Mark the wanted file for installation and click "Apply".


Do I have to set locale every session?

If you have a → flash disk install or a → poor man's install with persistent memory, you can use → Micro-Remastering. In case of → full HD install append your cheatcodes within '/boot/grub/menu.lst' at the end of the line "kernel ....".