Found the problem on the first machine. It hangs up on the USB detection. I have a flashmemory reader on the usb port. When I did the nousb option it went ahead and booted. Also when I removed the reader it also would boot without further options. I notice that hotplug is enabled on knoppix. Should I see anything happen automagically when I plug the flashreader in???? Nothing does, so I guess I will have to find a way to mount it.