SOLVED !

I noticed that Knoppix 4.0.2 recognized 2 network cards on my laptop during the boot cycle ... eth0 and also eth1. Through trial and error I discovered that my original wireless login script works if I change "ath0" to "eth1" in the script. (I am guessing that eth0 is my onboard ethernet card.)

Problem Solved

If anyone knows why KNOPPIX 3.9 recognized the card as ath0 and KNOPPIX 4.0.2 sees the same card as eth1 - please let me know.
Thanks