so i ask you if there is a way for me to have a HD dedicated to knoppix (/dev/hdb) and not messing with the current settings on the windows disk, i'm sure this exists and is fully possible, i'm just not sure how to do it
Yes. Simply install Knoppix to /dev/hdb, ensuring LILO is installed to the MBR of /dev/hdb. To boot this device, press F12 when at the POST screen. You most likely will need to select D as the device to boot from.