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How do these hacks stand up? Comment on a hack from the book by choosing the associated "Discuss" link below. You can also view the code from any of the hacks by clicking on the "Listing" or "Code" links. A number of hacks have been selected to be featured online in their entirety; you may view those hacks by clicking on the hack titles that are linked.

Jump to: Boot Knoppix  | Use Your Knoppix Desktop  | Tweak Your Desktop  | Install Linux with Knoppix  | Put Knoppix in Your Toolbox  | Repair Linux  | Rescue Windows  | Knoppix Reloaded  | Knoppix Remastered

Boot Knoppix

HACK
#1

Boot Knoppix on a Desktop
The common PC desktop is a great place to begin experimenting with Knoppix
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#2

Get Knoppix
Knoppix can be downloaded from the Knoppix mirrors or purchased from an online site
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#3

Use Knoppix Cheat Codes
Cheat codes are extra instructions you type at boot time that change many of Knoppix's settings. On some hardware, use of these codes may be necessary to get the most out of Knoppix
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#4

Speak Different Languages
One of the advantages of Linux is its native language support. Knoppix is provided in English and German versions, but other languages are supported
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#5

Free Your CD to Make Knoppix Run Faster
Make Knoppix run faster by loading the Knoppix image to RAM or saving it to the hard drive. This also frees your CD-ROM drive for other uses
[Discuss (8) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#6

Straighten Out Your X Settings
Finely tune X to get the most out of your video hardware, and work around hardware detection mistakes
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#7

Use Advanced Knoppix Cheat Codes
Choose advanced options for system tweaking and booting on exotic systems
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#8

Run Knoppix on a Laptop
With laptops sales on the rise, it is increasingly common that your desktop machine is actually a laptop. Knoppix provides cheat codes and other options so it can boot on laptop hardware
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#9

Explore Expert Mode
Do-it-yourself types may not like all of the automatic configuration and hardware detection that Knoppix does. For people trying to troubleshoot and for the just plain curious, Knoppix provides an expert mode
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Use Your Knoppix Desktop

HACK
#10

Explore the Desktop
After you have booted Knoppix, figure out what these windows, icons, and strange panels are for
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#11

Customize the Desktop Look
The look of Knoppix's default desktop doesn't appeal to everyone. KDE has many tools to change the look and feel of the desktop
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#12

Get Office Work Done
You can't get much work done in an office these days without an office suite. Use OpenOffice.org and Kontact to turn any computer into your office workstation
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#13

Configure Your Printer
Even in an increasingly digital world, sometimes you still need a hardcopy of your files. The KDE printer manager has a lot of options, and this hack guides you through them
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#14

Use Peripheral Devices
Knoppix includes support for many popular scanners, cameras, PDAs, and other peripherals—often with little to no extra configuration
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#15

Have Fun and Play Some Games
While you can get a lot of work done with Knoppix, you can also have a lot of fun. Windows gives you Solitaire, Freecell, and Minesweeper. Knoppix gives you a virtual arcade full of games
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#16

Rock Out with Knoppix Multimedia
Knoppix comes with a full suite of tools to perform common multimedia tasks, such as listening to CDs or MP3s, editing audio, and burning CDs
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#17

Connect to the Internet

[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#18

Connect to the Internet with GPRS Bluetooth

[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#19

Explore the Internet
Browse the web, check your email, and chat with your friends with Knoppix's Internet applications
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#20

Get Help
When you are lost or stuck, or you just have a question on Knoppix, there are a number of places you can go to get help
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Tweak Your Desktop

HACK
#21

Create Persistent Knoppix Settings
Knoppix has the capability of saving changes you have made during your session to floppies, USB drives, or other removable media. Use this ability to create a Knoppix setup that you can take to any computer
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#22

Use Your Linux Desktop Settings
When you boot Knoppix on top of an existing Linux desktop, it is relatively easy for Knoppix to use files and settings on the system underneath
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#23

Use Your Windows Desktop Settings
Believe it or not, your underlying Windows system isn't completely useless while running Knoppix. You can leverage your underlying Windows system for settings and datafiles
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#24

Make a Kiosk
Turn a regular Knoppix disc and a computer into your own kiosk for a tradeshow, an Internet café, or even a basic web terminal
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#25

Network Boot Knoppix
Use the Knoppix Terminal Server to boot multiple netboot-capable machines off of a single Knoppix CD
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#26

Develop Applications
Use Kdevelop with all of the languages Knoppix supports to rapidly create and manage software projects
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#27

Use the Knoppix Live Installer
While Knoppix includes a lot of great software, everything you need simply won't fit on one CD, but with the live-software installer, you can install extra packages directly to ramdisk
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#28

Install Nvidia 3D Drivers
Get 3D acceleration under Knoppix for your Nvidia graphics card
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#29

Live Install Your Own Programs
Write your own live installer scripts to install programs you need that aren't on Knoppix by default
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#30

Point-and-Klik to Install Applications
Install extra software on your Knoppix live CD just by clicking a link on a web site
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#31

Create Your Own Klik Recipe
might be of interest to you even if the application you need is not on the Knoppix CD
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Install Linux with Knoppix

HACK
#32

Explore the Knoppix Installer
Learn the ins and outs of the Knoppix installer before installing
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#33

Install Knoppix as a Single-Boot System
Ready to take the plunge and use Linux as the sole operating system on your computer? Then you need these instructions to know how to install Knoppix by itself on a computer
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#34

Install Knoppix on a Multiboot System
A lot of people who use Linux also dual-boot their computer to Windows. The two most worrisome parts of such a setup are partitioning the drive and configuring the boot loader. Here's how to install Knoppix in a multiboot setup
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#35

Convert Knoppix to Debian Unstable
Even though Knoppix is based on Debian, and the installation instructions help you install Knoppix on your hard drive, what you have installed is a hybrid Debian system. Here's how to convert a Knoppix install to as close to a standard Debian unstable branch distribution as you can get
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#36

Install Gentoo with Knoppix
Installing Gentoo can be an overwhelming and uninviting task because you are limited to a shell interface, and the computer is unavailable for tasks during the installation. That is, of course, unless you use the Knoppix CD
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Put Knoppix in Your Toolbox

HACK
#37

Run Remote Desktops
Use a computer running Knoppix as a base for remotely controlling other computers on the network via rdesktop or xvncviewer
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#38

Run X Remotely with FreeNX
Use FreeNX to connect to a remote desktop that's responsive even over a slow dial-up connection
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#39

Browse Windows Shares
Tweak a few settings for the lisa daemon so you can graphically browse Windows shares on your network
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#40

Create an Emergency Router
Turn Knoppix into a router or firewall
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#41

Create an Emergency File Server
When files need to be transferred quickly over the network, Knoppix can serve as a quick makeshift file server
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#42

Create an Emergency Web Server
When the web server goes down, use Knoppix to pick up the slack
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#43

Run Other Emergency Services
It is easy to set up Knoppix as a DHCP, DNS, or MySQL server. This ability could prove useful in an emergency
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#44

Wardrive with Knoppix
Use Knoppix effectively as a wireless site survey tool that captures GPS coordinates along with data
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#45

Audit Network Security
Use the nessus tool under Knoppix to perform a security audit on your network
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#46

Check for Root Kits
Use your Knoppix CD as a safe "known good" system for scanning your Linux install for root kits
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#47

Collect Forensics Data
When your computer is broken into, use Knoppix to collect all of the forensics data for later analysis
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#48

Clone Hard Drives
Use dd and partimage on Knoppix to clone hard drives even across the network
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#49

Wipe a Hard Drive
Securely wipe a hard drive of file traces before you get rid of it
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#50

Test Hardware Compatibility
Knoppix's hardware detection has a reputation for being just about as good as Linux. Use your Knoppix disc to test the Linux-hardware compatibility of desktops, laptops, and peripherals
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#51

Copy Settings to Other Distributions
Knoppix's intelligent hardware auto-detection can get all of a computer's hardware working out of the box. You can copy and reference the system files Knoppix creates to ease configuration of a new or existing installation
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Repair Linux

HACK
#52

Repair Lilo
Use Knoppix to restore lilo to the Master Boot Record (MBR)
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#53

Repair Grub
Use Knoppix to restore grub to the Master Boot Record (MBR)
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#54

Kill and Resurrect the Master Boot Record
How to (carefully) back up and restore the Master Boot Record (MBR)
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#55

Find Lost Partitions
If you have ever made a typo when deleting or restoring the MBR, you probably also have trashed your partition table. Use gpart, included on the Knoppix disc, to restore lost partition tables
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#56

Resize Linux Partitions
Use utilities, such as qtparted and parted, to resize ext2, ext3, linux-swap, ReiserFS, and XFS partitions
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#57

Repair Damaged Filesystems
Benefit from utilities included with Knoppix to repair corrupted filesystems, including ext2, ext3, ReiserFS, and XFS
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#58

Recover Deleted Files
Recover accidentally deleted files with unrm and lazarus
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#59

Rescue Files from Damaged Hard Drives
When your hard drive is damaged or is on its last leg, use Knoppix to recover what's left on the drive and attempt to restore it
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#60

Backup and Restore
Use the classic tar command with Knoppix to quickly back up and restore important files
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#61

Migrate to a New Hard Drive
Move your complete system to a new hard drive
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#62

Create Linux Software RAID
Use Knoppix to create and reconfigure software RAID 0, 1, and 5
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#63

Migrate to Software RAID
Move your entire root partition to RAID 1 or RAID 5 without a backup and restore
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#64

Migrate Software RAID 1 to RAID 5
Move an existing software RAID 1 system to RAID 5 without a backup and restore
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#65

Add an Extra Drive to a Software RAID 5 Array
Add a fourth drive to a three-drive software RAID 5 array without a backup and restore
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#66

Reset Linux Passwords
Use Knoppix to reset forgotten Linux passwords
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#67

Fix Broken Init Services
Errors in init scripts may prevent a system from completely booting. Use Knoppix to disable the troublesome scripts
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#68

Repair Debian Packages
Knoppix is not only based on Debian; it also comes with a full set of tools to manage and change Debian packages
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#69

Repair RPM Packages
Knoppix not only comes with Debian packaging tools; it also comes complete with support for creating and installing RPMs
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#70

Copy a Working Kernel
Use Knoppix to restore a working kernel to a system that has had its kernel either deleted or overwritten
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Rescue Windows

HACK
#71

Fix the Windows Boot Selector
If a Windows boot.ini file gets corrupted, you might find yourself unable to boot back into Windows. While the Windows Recovery CD can restore a default boot file, unlike Knoppix, it won't let you edit it directly
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#72

Back Up Files and Settings
With all of the viruses, worms, and malware running loose on the Internet, it is not uncommon for a Windows user to find that her system has become unusable (some people argue that Windows systems are unusable by default). Use Knoppix's Windows filesystem support to back up important files and settings when Windows can't boot
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#73

Write to NTFS
One thing that has been missing from Knoppix (and Linux in general) is the ability to safely write to NTFS partitions. Now with Knoppix 3.4, you can edit, delete, and move files on your NTFS partition—jobs that are difficult with the Windows Recovery CD!
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#74

Resize Windows Partitions
Avoid spending money on Partition Magic or other commercial partitioning tools by using Knoppix to easily resize FAT, FAT32, and even NTFS partitions
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#75

Reset Lost NT Passwords
If you forget a password for your user on your Windows system (especially if the user is administrator), your computer immediately becomes a paperweight. It's like being locked out of your car without a spare set of keys and without a way to contact a locksmith. Use Knoppix as your locksmith to reset the password to a new value or even completely erase it
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#76

Edit the Windows Registry
The chntpw tool not only resets an Administrator password, but it also comes with a full-fledged registry editor. This makes it a useful tool for solving other types of Windows problems (e.g., deleting the registry keys put in place by a virus or worm) without booting into Windows
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#77

Restore Corrupted System Files
Extract important drivers and other system files from .cab files on your Windows system from within Knoppix
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#78

Scan for Viruses
Ridding a network of Windows computers of a virus or worm can seem impossible. Viruses may cause computers to reboot and infect new machines while you are in the process of removing them. Through the use of the live-software installer, Knoppix provides a solution to this catch-22
[Discuss (7) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#79

Download Windows Patches Securely
Use Knoppix to download Microsoft Windows patches onto a vulnerable Windows machine. Then boot to Windows, and apply the patch while disconnected from the network
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Knoppix Reloaded

HACK
#80

Master Morphix
Morphix is a Knoppix-based distribution that takes a modular approach to CD creation
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#81

Gnoppix Gnome Gnirvana
Like Knoppix but dislike KDE? Before you remaster Knoppix, try Gnoppix, a Knoppix-based distribution that replaces the default KDE desktop with a Gnome desktop
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#82

Pump Up the Volume with Mediainlinux
Mediainlinux is the live-CD Swiss Army knife for multimedia. It's a free ready-to-go kit for the multimedia professional to carry with him at all times
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#83

Educate Yourself with Freeduc
Freeduc is a Knoppix-based distribution with a focus on providing free software to schools. The Freeduc CD boots into an XFCE environment configured with many tools suitable for classroom use
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#84

Damn Small Linux
Damn Small Linux is a business-card-sized (50 MB) bootable live CD Linux distribution. Despite its size, it strives to have a functional and easy to use desktop
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#85

INSERT Security Here
INSERT, or the INside SEcurity Rescue Tool, is a small Knoppix-based distribution with a focus on security. It can fit on a bootable business-card CD, but still includes many useful tools for virus scanning, network analysis, computer forensics, and disaster recovery
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#86

Download Local Area Security
Similar to the scope of INSERT, Local Area Security Linux (L.A.S. Linux) aims to put many great security tools all on a single mini-CD
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#87

Full Protection with Knoppix-STD
Knoppix-STD is a Knoppix-based distribution with a focus on security. This disc includes many useful security tools from packet sniffers to password crackers to honeypots
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#88

Distribute Compiles with distccKNOPPIX
This Damn Small Linux-based distribution is aimed at making it easy to set up a cluster of machines running distccd, which enables the user to leverage multiple machines for compiling
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#89

Distribute the Load with ClusterKnoppix
ClusterKnoppix is a live-CD distribution that takes advantage of the openMosix cluster technology to turn any room full of computers into a makeshift openMosix cluster
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#90

Analyze Quantian
Quantian is an extension of Knoppix and ClusterKnoppix tailored to numerical and quantitative analysis
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#91

Find GIS Knoppix on the Map
Cartographers of the world unite! Use GIS Knoppix to view, edit, and create maps using free GIS software
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#92

TiVo Your Computer
Use KnoppMyth to quickly turn any computer into a standalone TiVo-like PVR using MythTV
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#93

Contribute to Knoppix
Want to give back to the Knoppix community? Here's how
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Knoppix Remastered

HACK
#94

Create a Customized Knoppix
One reason there are so many different Knoppix-based distributions is that they are so easy to create. With these steps, you will be creating your own custom Knoppix CD in no time
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#95

Trim the Fat
Knoppix has been able to squeeze a lot of useful tools on a single CD image. When you want to add your tools to the mix, you must use some tricks to keep the total file size low enough to fit on a CD
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#96

Personalize Knoppix
Customizing Knoppix doesn't just mean changing which packages get installed and what programs run at boot. You can also completely change which the default desktop environment looks and feels like
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#97

Keep Your Custom Disc Up to Date
After you customize your Knoppix disc, make sure it has the latest and greatest packages
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#98

Automate Knoppix Remastering
Automate the remastering process by using one of Klaus's scripts
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#99

Morph Morphix
The modular nature of Morphix that has made it so popular also makes it very easy for a user to create custom discs
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

HACK
#100

Auto-Build Morphix Modules MapLab tutorial map
Morphix is already easy to change due to its modular nature, but you can make module creation even easier and more powerful by using Module Maker to automate building Morphix modules
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]


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