I think I've found the problem. The default knoppix kernel has support
for SMP compiled in and that seems to cause my machine to freeze.
A kernel without the SMP code on the other hand runs just fine.
I'm going to try to make a new ISO image as soon as I have time for
it unless someone else does it first
BTW, the default knoppix kernel also only supports APM, not ACPI.
Since many laptops are crippled without ACPI support I'll probably
switch that in too while I'm at it....