first of, i had to edit your text to be able to read it, please be kind to us all and keep things simple.
Hi. I'm a total newbie to the exciting world of linux . I downloaded Knoppix 6.4.4 and burnt it on to a CD But when I boot off the CD, in my laptop, I get a black screen with multiple options like documents, multimedia, ... but not the classic desktop interface
Can you people kindly help me in getting the desktop interface?
Thanks in advance
uhm, oops.
you have downloaded the Ariadne version, it is aimed at "blind" persons, try for one named knoppix only.
knoppix DE is the German language version, knoppix EN is the English.
read more here
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Downloading_FAQ
especially these two parts
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Download..._I_download.3F
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Download...O_CD_images.3F

Ps
you can still get regular knoppix by typing knoppix at the "boot:" prompt and hitting enter, downside is you have to remember doing it every boot.