I know this is somewhat incoplete but I hope it is useful. I used Knoppix 3.8 with each machine. I didn't get the exact compaq model as the section manager, well read on-

I recently started the process of evaluating laptops for replaement of four next year. I did NOT evaluae HP as I already know that they tend to configure their hardware so that it works with Knoppix/Linux only with some serious reconfiguration and workarounds unless they set the machine up for their proprietary Linux.
I went to Best Buy who is the largest supplier in the area. Forst I looked at whatwas available. I limited the systems to the following base requirements. AMD cpu with 32 or 64 bit processor, 256-512 ram prefferably DDR or SDram

Toshiba 10721 - 360J series with Intel Celeron will not load, Knoppix hangs before hardware detection.

Gateway7510GX 64bit SCSI
Had to noscsi, noacpi. Bios overrides noacpi and will not load apm. Loading is very slow but it does function. The right click function won't work on the touchpad but does work with external mouse. many small glitches.

Compaq 64bit AMD
Clean load. Pointer and tap sensitivity needs to be decreased significantly and the keyboard accelerator needs to be at or near minimum. The capslock is reversed and will not clear. TO do standard you need to hit the shift key.

At this point I was preparing to do some program testing when the department manager came up to me and even knowing I was looking at replacing potentially 4 laptops he told me that I couldn't use the knoppix disk. His rational was that if we let one person do it we have to let everyone do it. He wasn't flexible nor did the concept of watching to insure the disk the potential purchaser uses isn't toxic or loads running programs.
He got a little pissy then and I told him that if I wanted to mess up his laptops, I didn't need the Knoppix disk to do it. I was asked to leave the store. I let the store manager know abut the potential sale he lost the store and she was pretty red faced when I walked out.
Incidently I posted this to the general laptop forum by mistake. hope it doesn't cause too much confusion.

By My Hand ~ I Remain,
Captain Cautious 2 Aug 05