Knoppix Doesn't Boot On Windows 8.1

**Threshold** · 01-24-2014, 02:43 AM

Hello everyone,

I have used Knoppix with great success for years.

I recently had to change my PC and was therefore forced to move to Windows 8.1 and since I haven't been able to run Knoppix (newer or older versions).
Apart that Windows 8.1 has this new bios which I don't like at all, the best I can get from it is a blinking cursor at reboot and than nothing happens.

These are my PC specs:

http://prntscr.com/2m0h0n

Please let me know if you need any more info and thanks to all who will help.

**utu** · 01-24-2014, 05:20 PM

Greetings, Threshold.

I may have had somewhat the same experience as you.
I have a Window 7 machine which I also use for Knoppix.
I also have a Window 8 machine.

Knoppix 7.2 doesn't boot on my Windows 8.0 machine as delivered.
It looks as if I could disable uefi and Knoppix might work, but
then I'd have no access to Windows 8. You may have this same
unsatisfactory choice. I'm hoping Klaus K or someone on this
forum has a better option for us.

Klaus K often updates Knoppix about the time of the
annual CeBIT symposium. I'm hoping a better treatment of uefi
might be one new features in Knoppix this year, but I have not
heard any such hopeful news.

__________________________________________________ __________

Interesting prntscr.com png. Are you aware of Knoppix's built-in
Screenshot on the Accessories menu?

**Threshold** · 01-24-2014, 06:45 PM

Hello utu!

I am going mental with this new bios.

What I am trying to do is copying some files from an ext3 formatted usb drive to Windows but so far I have yet to find a way.
I also tried running Knoppix in Virtualbox which works but than i don't know how to see the aforementioned ext3 usb drive attached to Windows (who would like to format it after i attach it.)
If anyone has a solution to this I'd appreciate it.

Going back to booting in Knoppix I still need that in case I need to repair my system.
Searching the web i found these 2 articles which might be useful to you too:

1) http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-...ws-8-computer/

I followed the instructions but whatever i chose it won't work
If i chose to boot from the dvd than all i get is a black screen and a white, still cursor.
So i have no clue really

2)https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromCD

Here they present a more definitive solution but i am very wary of trying it as i am not that experienced and I only have one PC.
I am afraid of locking myself put for good and not even having knoppix to attempt anything.

Let me know

Thanks

**utu** · 01-24-2014, 07:09 PM

.
I have two Dell laptops, both 64-bit machines. One laptop is
Windows 7, before uefi, and one is Windows 8.0 with uefi.

My Knoppix 7.2 LiveUSBs are made from Knoppix 7.2 LiveCDs,
which I believe all have only 32-bit kernels and 32-bit efi
programs.

The following link includes some comments by Klaus K in regard
to uefi booting Knoppix 7.2

http://web.archiveorange.com/archive...AbcuDOuICojYbJ

The reference leads me to believe that using the OEM boot choices
on uefi machines assume that if it's a 64-bit machine, the boot up
process expects to find a 64-bit kernel and a 64-bit bootloading
program on the non-Windows medium selected for an alternate uefi boot.

I'm not familiar with Knoppix's 7.2 LiveDVD, but I expect it
may well have a 64-bit kernel and boot loader options built-in,
whereas the LiveCD does not.

**Threshold** · 01-27-2014, 03:07 AM

So I have finally managed to disable UEFI and get the option to boot from a dvd.

Unfortunately whatever I try to boot from (Knoppix, Ubuntu, Xubuntu) stops halfway.

The screen resolution changes constantly and the monitor loses the signal several times and than I only get some garbled colours like when you try to play an encrypted video or just a black screen.

For Knoppix I get the "loading sequence" announcement and the splash screen with the penguin but than it stops there.

Any idea what causes this?

Thank you.

**utu** · 01-27-2014, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Threshold

Any idea what causes this?

Have you done testdvd and checksum tests on the dvd?

**Threshold** · 01-27-2014, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by utu

Have you done testdvd and checksum tests on the dvd?

Hi utu,

Do you mean testing the knoppix image after downloading it?
I did the md5 test and it completed successfully.

Anyway i loaded all these images into Virtualbox and they work fine so i guess they are all right.
Unfortunately i don't know if it's possible to access my ext3 usb drive from Knoppix, loaded into Virtualbox, and if so how to do it.

Anyway i'd like to be able to have a functioning copy of Knoppix in case I run into any PC issues as it has saved me in the past many times.

Thank you.

**otropogo** · 02-02-2014, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Threshold

So I have finally managed to disable UEFI and get the option to boot from a dvd.

Unfortunately whatever I try to boot from (Knoppix, Ubuntu, Xubuntu) stops halfway.

The screen resolution changes constantly and the monitor loses the signal several times and than I only get some garbled colours like when you try to play an encrypted video or just a black screen.

For Knoppix I get the "loading sequence" announcement and the splash screen with the penguin but than it stops there.

Any idea what causes this?

Thank you.

I've had a similar problem with the video display, and have sometimes been able to resolve it by setting the screen resolution at boot time as per the help pages suggestions accessed with f2 and f3

**otropogo** · 02-02-2014, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by utu

.
I have two Dell laptops, both 64-bit machines. One laptop is
Windows 7, before uefi, and one is Windows 8.0 with uefi.

My Knoppix 7.2 LiveUSBs are made from Knoppix 7.2 LiveCDs,
which I believe all have only 32-bit kernels and 32-bit efi
programs.

The following link includes some comments by Klaus K in regard
to uefi booting Knoppix 7.2

http://web.archiveorange.com/archive...AbcuDOuICojYbJ

The reference leads me to believe that using the OEM boot choices
on uefi machines assume that if it's a 64-bit machine, the boot up
process expects to find a 64-bit kernel and a 64-bit bootloading
program on the non-Windows medium selected for an alternate uefi boot.

I'm not familiar with Knoppix's 7.2 LiveDVD, but I expect it
may well have a 64-bit kernel and boot loader options built-in,
whereas the LiveCD does not.

7.2 DVD definitely has a 64 bit kernel. In fact, it automatically boots with the 64 kernel on my 64 bit laptop, which is a problem since it boots with the German interface, which leaves me struggling even to reboot with my US keyboard. I have to remember to boot with the cheatcode:

knoppix64 lang-us

**Threshold** · 02-06-2014, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by otropogo

I've had a similar problem with the video display, and have sometimes been able to resolve it by setting the screen resolution at boot time as per the help pages suggestions accessed with f2 and f3

Well I have managed to boot to lnoppix with the cheatcodes provided earlier on but I'll try this option too, thank you.

Originally Posted by otropogo

7.2 DVD definitely has a 64 bit kernel. In fact, it automatically boots with the 64 kernel on my 64 bit laptop, which is a problem since it boots with the German interface, which leaves me struggling even to reboot with my US keyboard. I have to remember to boot with the cheatcode:

knoppix64 lang-us

I read that but unfortunately it didn't work for me