I have been very comfortable with Knoppix 7.2.0, even with its many problems, as I gradually learnt to overcome them. At least, known enemies are better than unknown ones!

After much dilly-dallying with upgradation to the latest, expecting newer, improved version of packages I downloaded, manipulated the iso and booted into 7.4.2. And right away, trouble:

Screensaver asking for password...

After a few boots, I found that the xscreensaver is creating trouble.

I searched the Knoppix forum and found this post: 7.4.2 - KDE brain damage fixes - ep.1 - Xscreensaver by Bill Gates

Can't read so much! But skimmed through it anyhow...

I wonder whether the educational institutions all over the world dumb down people and slow them up, upon explicit direction from some influential quarters, using the schooling system where they teach kids to read.

I took the shortcut and uninstalled the xscreensaver by:
Code:
 apt-get remove xscreensaver*
You could, too!