trying to launch but stops at dos prompt

[rom1616]

I have just burned the CD and started linux for the first time.
The launch ends up at dr dos d: (drive).
I can also access files on a:
in the d: the only file available is knoppix_ iso 733,902,848
the files in a: are:
command.com
dr.dos
oak
nr
wwbmu.exe
readme.txt
autodos7.bat
dconfig

What do I do from this point?

[ZeroKun]

boot from the cd, not dr dos or whatever that is. Just open your bios config with whatever your system key is (says on boot) and make the cd the first bootable drive.

[eco2geek]

You've succeeded at making a bootable DR-DOS CD with the Knoppix ISO image saved on it, which is not what you want. You need to look for an option in your CD-burning software such as "Burn Image..." or "Burn CD image..." instead. See this FAQ (http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/FaqDownloading), and look at the "Q: I have downloaded the ISO file, now what ?" section.