Getting the 6.4 download from a different FTP mirror appears to have done the trick. The .iso file I originally found was dated 2004 so it was definitly an older file. For reference a direct boot to the disk now displays the boot:_ prompt with a vitruvian penguin. Using no cheat code boots me to the command line interface. "knoppix nodma" as the cheatcode boots me to the GUI.

Since getting it to boot up I have done some searching around. This may be the greates PC support tool ever made. Thank you for your help with my fairly simple problem!