Compaq EVO N800C Hanging @ INIT: version 2.78-knoppix bootin

[will]

The subject pretty much says it all. I've been trying every combination of turning things off trying to get knoppix working, but I have had no joy so far. It always hangs at the same place. I've tried expert, the darn thing wont even boot into failsafe! Can anyone give me some suggestions?

[will]

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com says the notebook can run just fine with linux.

are there any cheatcodes that will give me more output to see what it is doing when it locks up?