Well after a couple of days serching on the net which came up with no answers, I just had to ask (I'm sure I was using the wrong keywords but don't know any better): I've installed Knoppix on my HD the hard way (only later did I realize that hdinstall was on the CD). The problem is I can't get the append options to work, and I can't change window managers (where I'd sometimes only like to use the console but it starts KDE ends KDE).
Note that *can't* refers to my lack of knowledge and experience, and not a problem with the system.
I'd appretiate any and all pointers, advice etc.
IBM Power S822 12-Bay Server System Power8 Core 3.42Ghz DVD-Rom Drive 64GB No HD
$399.99
IBM 7944AC1 System x3550 M3 Server 1*Intel Xeon X5650 2.67GHz 4GB SEE NOTES
$27.25
IBM Power 720 POWER7 00E6516 3.6GHz CPU 64GB RAM Server
$209.98
$16000.00
IBM Power S822 8284-22A 12SFF Power8 3.89GHz 6-Core 64GB RAM No Bezel/HDD Server
$319.99
IBM SYSTEM x3200 M2 Server - HDD wiped, No OS
$75.00
IBM Lenovo X3650 M5 2U 8x 2.5” CTO Rack Server – 2x HS, 2x 750W
$199.00
IBM BladeCenter HS21 7995 AC1 Server - 1x Xeon E5440 2GB RAM - NO HDDs
$22.43
IBM System X3500 M4 7383AC1 (E5-2650 v2 2.60GHz - 192GB RAM - M2000 - NO OS/HDD)
$294.92
IBM SYSTEM x3650 M4 Xeon E5-2609 2.40GHZ 16GB DDR3-1066MHZ 2x 550W PSU TESTED
$109.95