You can combine several boot cheats. You type:

knoppix home=scan bootfrom=... etc.

The directory linux is one that you create in Windows; I chose that for storing several .iso's in. I renamed my knoppix to knoppix.iso, because I'm too lazy to type out the whole name; plus there's less chance of error if I keep the name simple.

I didn't mention it before (my bad!), but the bootfrom option runs Knoppix from the .iso image on your hard drive, instead of the CD. After Knoppix finishes starting, you should be able to eject the CD.

Both Debian and Ubuntu allow updating and installing software from the desktop. You don't need to go to the command line for that. Those are for installing to your hard drive however. I've got two partitions on my machine, Windows 2000 and Linux. You've got to know what you're doing - I don't recommend it for a newbie. I'm not sure whether Knoppix has something. Your Windows PC is safe from viruses if you leave the hard drive READ only.

Hope this helps.