It figures that after I posted the above problem, I would find the solution (though had I not posted first, I would have been searching forever, as these things go).

Anyway, the solution proved to be real simple. All I had to do was add the above insmod commands to the knoppix-autoconfig file, and the CD-ROM drivers loaded automatically. While I was at it, I also added the sshd command as well.

Now to see if I can get the mouse working in text mode as well as find a speaker driver so I can play sound files without a sound card (like I have over on the DOS/WfW side of the house...)