Quote Originally Posted by k57
I tried Linux Mandrake 7.0 a couple of years ago and gave up in frustration after many attempts at configuring it. I am no geek.

Today, just out of curiosty, I looked into Linux again, and read a review on Knoppix... I downloaded it, burned it & popped in the CD... three or four minutes later (after ZERO configuration) I was connected to the net via Linux! Wowzers...

Now I just gotta figure out how to get the sound working, and I can install it to my HD permanently... too cool!!
You may want to try putting in a alsa "cheatcode" ( don't ask me, thats just what they're called)

at the boot prompt type

knoppix alsa
There are a host of other cheatcodes, but from the sound of it you don't need them.