Quote Originally Posted by kickaha
...... so I'm experimenting first by booting from the knoppix 5.0.1 disk ......
I don't know all of the issues involved in this, and may even be sending you on a wrong path by responding, but I think at least one of the issues is if you are using the CD or DVD. The DVD contains some of the files that you are likely to need to do your make. They are not included on the CD for space reasons. There very well may be other issues in this as well, but I think you're going to need the DVD version (if you don't have it already, you were not clear) if you are going to have a chance to get the make to work.

When you solve this please post back, and consider putting together a wiki article, so that the information might help others.