KNOPPIX - Start Linux without installation

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What is KNOPPIX^®?

KNOPPIX is a compilation of GNU/Linux software, run completely from CD, DVD or flash disk. It automatically detects and supports a wide range of graphics adapters, sound cards, USB devices and other peripheral devices. KNOPPIX can be used as a Linux demo, for training courses , as rescue system or as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything on fixed disk. Because of its transparent decompression, up to 2 gigabyes of executable software can be present on a CD, and up to 10GB on a single-layered DVD.

Licenses and Sources

KNOPPIX is an Open Source project. Most of the programs included are subject to the GNU General Public License, with a few exceptions that are still using "Public Domain" licenses. License texts for each individual package are present at /usr/share/doc/programname/. These licenses allow

• unrestricted use,
• copy,
• distribution,
• in case of Open Source licensing, also modification/customization of the software as well as offering commercial service and support for it.

Source code for KNOPPIX-specific packages is available via the Internet at http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/sources/. You may find the sources for the Debian Distribution, which KNOPPIX is based on, at various Debian mirrors. Alternately, you can order all 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/DVD.

System Requirements

• Intel/AMD-compatible CPU (i486 and up),
• RAM: at least 120 MB for the graphical desktop. Recommended for working with various office applications: 500MB RAM,
• a bootable CD-ROM/DVD drive (IDE/ATAPI/SATA, Firewire, USB), or USB flash disk,
• a standard SVGA-compatible graphics chipset,
• PS/2 or USB Mouse.

Starting KNOPPIX

In order to start from CD, DVD or USB flash disk, adjust the boot selection menu or your computers BIOS setup in order to start from the desired device. Everything else works (almost) automatically.

Included Software

Depending on your choice of CD or DVD, a variety of software packages from the Debian software repositories (www.debian.org) is installed. The CD version contains at least:

• LXDE as the standard desktop,
• Open Office,
• the Firefox WWW browser,
• GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP,
• MPlayer Multimedia System,
• Internet-access software for (W)LAN, modem, isdn, umts/gprs,
• Tools for data rescue, network analysis and system repair.

The DVD version contains additional software packages for office productivity as well as software development and engineering (various programming languages and development environments), education and gaming. Most Knoppix Mirrors also have a list of included software called packages.txt or packages-dvd.txt.

Tips & Tricks

Support for localization (language, keyboard), expert options and workarounds for problematic hardware is summarized in the Knoppix Cheatcodes. Some of these options require advanced knowledge of the Linux operating system, others are just useful extensions of the KNOPPIX autoconfiguration system. The "favourite" boot options are displayed in the boot screen of KNOPPIX when hitting the F2 or F3 function keys.

It is recommended to run KNOPPIX from USB flash disk, since

• it is much faster than CD/DVD because of less latency caused by the drives mechanical laser read head positioning,
• your settings and personal files on KNOPPIX are saved for surviving reboot using overlay technology (which is, on request, activated the first time you start from USB flash disk).

In order to easily install KNOPPIX on a flash disk, a program called flash-knoppix is provided in the "Settings" menu when starting from CD or DVD.

Other considerations

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 OR SOFTWARE PATENTS, WHICH MAY FORBID DISTRIBUTION OR DOWNLOAD. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS. IF YOU PLAN TO COMMERCIALLY USE OR DISTRIBUTE (AND SELL) THE SOFTWARE, YOU HAVE TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY LICENSES AND PERMISSIONS FROM ALL SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS OF NON-FREE SOFTWARE COMPONENTS, OR REMOVE THESE COMPONENTS BEFORE DISTRIBUTING THE SOFTWARE.