As stated, I am a total linux newbie. I watched the first episode of The Broken, and want to run airsnort so that I can use the wireless network at myschool without the administration installing their software on my computer. Essentially their software has wrecked all of my friends' laptops, so I'm trying to avoid that, but I need Linux to do so.

I am using a Dell 9100 desktop replacement, 3.2 GHz Pentium IV, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB HD, 128 MB Radeon 9700 Mobility. I recently updated my Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack #2. so there's that.

Anyway, I burned knoppix 3.4 to a CD-R. I insert the disc into my CD-RW/DVD drive, and restart my computer. I enter the BIOS menu to do a one-time boot and choose the disc drive.....and it boots into Windows as normal.

I've tried permanently reordering the boot order of the drives. I've tried booting from an external disc drive. I've tried loading the image off of an external hard drive. I've tried the "trick" of booting my laptop when it is running only on battery power. I've tried turning the computer entirely off or doing a windows restart. Nothing works. It always just boots into Windows XP.

What am I doing wrong? I can't find anyone with a similar situation on the forum, so any help would be greatly appreciated. I realize I am probably missing something obvious, but it is something I cannot figure out. I've burned the disc image twice just to ensure it was not a bad burn. I am at a loss.

Someone please help me out!