Not sure how you expect suggestions when so far all we seem to know is that you have an "old Windows machine". As many details about the system as you can provide would be helpful, in particular is the interface to the CD IDE or some custom interface (and if custom, give the details)? My guess is you could have some very strange custom interface that SBM might have problems with, but then again Linux might need custom drivers compiled into it too, and just making "normal" Knoppix boot floppies might not be of any help either. I doubt that anyone will be able to help much until you post information about the system.