Cheat codes

[lbenn]

How do I boot using the cheat codes

[Harry Kuhman]

How do I boot using the cheat codes

• Boot the CD
  
  A boot prompt should come up. Either quickly type in knoppix your-cheat-code-here or type the F2 key. If you wait too long at the prompt without typing the boot will continue with no cheat code.
  
  If you type F2 you can use the info on the F2 screen to help you (and the F3 screen also). But these screens do not always contain all codes available. You still need to prefix the code or codes you want with the word knoppix.
  
  With 3.8.x you type knoppix and then the code or codes that you want. With version 3.7 of Knoppix there were two kernels included, you could either type knoppix or knoppix26, knoppix would use a 2.4 kernel (the default) while knoppix26 would use the newer knoppix 2.6 kernel. With Version 3.8 the defaut is now 2.6 and the knoppix26 option goes away.
  
  At the boot prompt instead of knoppix you can type memtest to run memtest96.

[jones172]

Sorry, but I'm not following this. I have had almost no experience booting from a CD-ROM. How do you get to the cheat code prompt?

Please assume that:

(1) The power is turned off on my computer.
(2) The CD-ROM drive is closed.
(3) The KNOPPIX CD is sitting on my desk.

For concreteness, please assume that I want to use the cheat code md5. In some sequence, I need to:

(1) Enter the characters "knoppix md5" (without the quotes).
(2) Put the CD-ROM into the drive.
(3) Open the drive.
(4) Turn on the power.
(5) Close the CD-ROM drive.
Question: Just what is the sequence?

My equipment:

(1) An Intel Celeron CPU.
(2) Dell Dimension 2400 desktop, about 1.5 years old; CPU and RAM capability seem adequate.
(3) Win XP installed on the hard drive.

Tom, a veteran computer person but a KNOPPIX newbie

[Harry Kuhman]

Have you tried reading the cheat code article in the Wiki that can be found by following the documentation link at the top of this page?

[Harry Kuhman]

Please assume that:

(1) The power is turned off on my computer.

Well, there's your problem right there. You'll need to turn the power on.

[Harry Kuhman]

For concreteness, please assume that I want to use the cheat code md5. In some sequence, I need to:

(1) Enter the characters "knoppix md5" (without the quotes).
(2) Put the CD-ROM into the drive.
(3) Open the drive.
(4) Turn on the power.
(5) Close the CD-ROM drive.
Question: Just what is the sequence?

OK, I hope you understand that md5 is not a valid cheat code. And that your md5 sum should have been tested before burning the CD, not after.

You seem to have steps 2 , 3 and 4 in a very confusing order. How do you put the CD rim into the drive before you open it? How do you open it without power?

Try this: Turn on the computer (plug it into the wall if needed).

Windows might start booting befor you get the following done. You might hit the DEL key to go into the BIOS so that doesn't happen, or you can just let it happen and shut down Windows later.

Open the CD drive before inserting the CD into the drive.

Insert the CD, label side UP, data side down.

If Windows is running, do a restart (the restart process will normally close the CD drive for you as part of the reset process).

If Windows is not running because you went into the BIOS, exit the BIOS (there should be hints on-screen telling you the key to use, or just hit the reset button).

If you managed to get the CD inserted fast enough without entering the BIOS and without Windows starting, just close the door.

Your system should boot from CD. If it does not boot from CD you may need to change the boot order so that the computer boots from CD before it boots from hard disk. Go into the BIOS to change this setting. Only change this and other things you understand; there are some setting you can make in the BIOS that can cause you problems if you just make random changes.

Good Luck.