System is
cable modem
Linksys 5 port router
Linksys NIC (in WinXP home boxes, Kingston in Win98SE box)
Various laptops with WinXP (NTFS) or Win98SE (FAT32) or Slax live CD running, plugged into the LAN, on occasion

When I boot Knoppix DVD 4 (from the DVD with a small ext2 partition on HDD for save config), I can't see anyone else on the LAN, I am unable to ping the other machines. I can use the internet in Knoppix (and Slax).

No problem with internet connection. All the Win machines can see each other, and access all the files across the LAN, and access the internet. I would like to connect the Knoppix (or Slax) to the LAN for file backups.