I came up with an easy "fix" while reading another thread. I like to use XOSL as a boot loader. With XOSL installed you can stuff characters in the keyboard buffer when the booting OS is ready for them, So you could easily create a boot menu like:
Code:
1. WinXP
2. Win98
3. Debian
4. Boot CD drive #1
5. Boot CD drive #2
6. Boot Knoppix in CD #1 with acpi=off 
7. Boot Knoppix in CD #1 with toram, myconfig=scan
I suggest installing XOSL on it's own tiny partition whenever first setting up a computer or repartitioning a hard drive. There are some other advantages to booting with it over Grub or Lilo that I mention in the other thread.