I have the same problem but with different hardware. My computer is a Gateway desktop using Intel graphics chip i82815. Knoppix versions up to 3.7 work on this computer. I have not tried 3.8.2. I did notice that the hardware detection in 3.9 detected my monitor as a different brand. I do not know what make or model the other version of Knoppix used for my monitor because they just worked.

I have no answers but am hoping someone might have a clue. I haven't tried the no hardware detection cheat code yet. You could try that to see what happens.