Same error here (except cdrom on this NEC Versa is /dev/hdb).

I don't think it's a bad disk. I ran md5sum on the ISO -- OK. After burning, ran "sudo head -c 730036224 /dev/hdc | md5sum" on a different computer -- OK. Booted it with "knoppix testcd" -- much CD activity for about 10 minutes, then booted (and failed) as normal.

Can Knoppix run diskless? I didn't see hard disk mentioned in requirements. But it sure does probe /dev/hda and finds HITACHI_DK227A-50. That disk is messed up; it had Windows installed on it. If /cdrom/KNOPPIX/modules/insmod tried to access /dev/hda, that would explain the I/O error. I tried the boot parameters myconf=/dev/hdb, home=/cdrom/knoppix.img (mount reported that /dev/hdb gets mounted on /cdrom), and noscsi. No difference.

Questions: what does that error (/cdrom/KNOPPIX/modules/insmod: I/O Error -- Can't find KNOPPIX filesystem, sorry.) mean?

How do I tell Knoppix to leave my hard disk alone? (The existence of a noswap boot parameter is a hint that by default it would use the hard disk.)
Boot param? Get screw driver and take disk drive out?

Thanks