i tried nodma with no difference. the problem seems to arise in the step that takes place just after the dma scans, which on a successful boot is labled "Accessing KNOPPIX CDROM at /dev/scd0.

at any rate, i think i've decided that it's the media's fault. i burned the image at home last night using alcohol 120%. it worked the first time i tried, but not after. my initial reaction to that is that i've got a $50 spindle of crap. i re-burned it onto a disc from my personal stock and it _seems_ to work fine.

at any rate, if there're any cdrecord pros in the audience, i'd still love some help there.