@ daveca,

As true as what you write is, chipswood has long ago either sorted his problem or given up.

The initial question must be "Do you run Windows on your Advent laptop and can you get to the net from there ?" because if the answers are yes and yes then it more than likely the problem isn't as technical as you suppose.

The next question must be "Are you using a wired or a wireless connection" because chipswood doesn't say and, as a Windowze whizz but Knoppix newbie, may not even known the difference.

The third question would be "Have you used Knoppix and/or the Network Manager before". After all, the Network Manager works out of the box but (for wireless) first time around the user must open the Network Manager and choose which wireless access point to connect to. This probably entails entering the password/ passphrase / key or whatever to gain access to the wireless access point and then entering a password for the 'wallet' in which this sensitive data will be concealed. Not forgetting to check the 'automatic connect' box before the inevitable click on the OK button.

My guess it is so long since chipswood configured his wireless under Windows that it was not immediately obvious that this must be done again under Knoppix.

Remember, it usually comes down to pilot error.