knoppix freezes when ifup ra0 up executed!

[paradigm_shift]

i am trying to set ralink wireless adapter to work with latest version of knoppix. lo, eth0, eth1, and ra0 interfaces started automatically when booted knoppix. i configured essid, encryption, channel, etc then executed pump -i ra0 but operation failed. i tried ifup ra0 up and the system freezes! just before it freezes i saw kwifi's conenction strength bar moving left and right, perhaps indicating real connection.

any ideas?