I am very new to knoppix and cannot get 4.0 to function.

I load the cd, and get the "press return to boot" screen. I press return and it goes to town. However, when it gets to this part:
Scanning for USB/Firewire devices... Done
Looking for CD in: /dev/hda _(blinking underscore)
it just stops working. I am working on a laptop, and i have successfully run Knoppix on two other computers(desktops), I also have been able to run Knoppix 3.7 on the laptop successfully.

All suggestions are invited.

Thanks