OP, you have put your finger on the problem here. Newbies are urged to try a Live CD, then if they like it install it. The official word of this forum is that Knoppix has been abandoned as a HD distro. Thus, it is obvious it should also be abandoned as a Live CD, IMO, except for advanced geeks who can use it for rescue.

Try Kanotix. It has been considered easier to install from day one.

Also, Kano himself has typically browsed the forum and in some cases answered questions.

After you get some HD experience, I would recommend that you then go to a full distro, Debian is not a bad choice, but certainly not the only choice. Those who are fanatic about their favorite distros do not always realize that, like spouses, what is great for one person might not serve for another. There are different personalities of distros to match the personalities of people.

That has been touted as the advantage of live CD's, to try it easily and simply before you become committed. I am one who does not think trying Knoppix live is going to tell you to install Debian. A certain percentage of those who try Debian love it, and another percentage hate it. That is called personal preference, which should not be ignored.