I *believe* that the cheat code I used to get my mouse to work, basically just told knoppix to boot with an older version of the linux kernel, if I am not mistaken?
yes, booting with kernel 2.4 the serial mouse is detected. The problem is with kernel 2.6

read this to learn how to emulate the mouse using the keypad

http://www.maysville-linux-users-gro.../article5.html