Did anyone ever figure this one out? I realize this post is a little over a year old, but I'm running Knoppix 3.8.2 and having this exact problem with a Dell Inspiron 5100.

I've tried using the following cheat codes with no luck

nowheelmouse
nousb
pci=irqmask=0x0e98
acpi=off

It's the laptops keyboard and mouse that will not work, if I plug a USB mouse and keyboard in I'm fine. (it's a little rough though since it impacts portability )

Knoppix 4.0.2 has the same problem with when the kernel is loading (or at runlevel 3), but once X loads they both work.

I'd just use the 4.0.2 CD, but I'm using Harv's Hamshack Hack v 0.6a which is based on 3.8.2. The problem happens with both Harv's 0.6a and the Knoppix 3.8.2 CD.

Thanks