chazllor,

I'll take a poke at the shutdown issue, not sure on the other, the mouse issue, maybe some more info on your mouse, or system, or even version of Knoppix, or how your mouse is connected to your system, will assist in resolving that...

Some BIOS and computer systems will "power off" on their own, if they get the signal to, some settings in your BIOS, like something along the ranges of "Power Button State", if the power button is set to on/off, you just press the power button and it will work just like a switch. If the setting is set to automatic (i think) the OS can actually tell the system to power off on its own, for protection, another setting for this is a "delay action" type of setting - in which, just pressing the power switch will do nothing - you must press, and hold, the power switch in for at least 5 to 10 seconds before the power is turned off. This last setting is good for kids who play around a computer, because they can't "accidently" press the power, and the system just drops power on you.

I will take a guess that this setting in your BIOS is set to delay. Next time you drop the system, try holding the power switch for about ten seconds, or until the power goes off. If you get the chance, take a look in your BIOS for this setting, you can set it so that Knoppix turns off your computer when you "Shutdown" your system.

Hope this helps,
Cuddles