Keyboard and mouse wont work in Knoppix
 

i got the knoppix version of linux beacuse i am a total newbie and i thought it would be the safest since i wasnt totally sure on how to partiton my drive for duel boot.

when i load up Knoppix i cant use my keyboard or mouse.
they are both USB.

any ideas>>>

do they work before booting, when you can make it start in text mode?

my first thought when reading your post was " I bet they're USB keyboard and mouse."
you might can borrow somebody else's ps/2 stuff to get installed, then get the usb stuff working.

I borrowed a ps/2 keyboad and mouse and plugged them in.
Knoppix loaded up and both keyboard and mouse worked.
if i take them out and plug in the USB ones will they work?
i have to keep coming back to windows beacuse i dont know how to access the net from knoppix.

I've had the same problem on Debian last year. I never come to a solution because i have some usb to ps/2 to my computer.
Good luck with your problem.

there may be some knoppix boot options for usb keyboard and mouse.
knoppix should set up cable or dsl for you. if you have a winmodem, give up now.