I have recently put Knoppix onto my laptop and am having problems placing programs onto my computer. I tried using kpackage but it wouldn't work. It asked for a root password but would not allow my to type and when i pressed enter it said improper password. How do i get Kpackage to work or is there any other way to install programs onto my computer?

the default root password is not set as far as I can remember.

Just hit enter

or... it may be 'root'

First become root and set a good root password.

#su

#passwd
.......

knoppix is debian-based. So you can use apt-get and synaptic as well

Knoppix doesn't have a root password. Simply type 'su' and you will become root on the Terminal. With root privileges then launch kpackage from the command-line to make sure that it also runs with root privileges.

Linux Archive

Knoppix is a "Debian" distro (like Ubuntu) and uses <packages.deb>
The packagemanager suggested is 'synaptic' and I don't know if it
is installed in your Knoppix. (I would not use Kpackage)
Try 'su' # 'apt-get update' and next # 'apt-get install synaptic'

*** # 'apt-get install <package-name.deb' will download and install
*** one or more packages in this single command.
*** Synaptic will do the same, by a few clicks.

To make a list of installed packages:
'dpkg --get-selections > packages.txt'

Good luck !

Well there is no real root account in Knoppix. As I recall, the root account has been disabled.

You can try 3 things :

1. Check Knoppix -> Knoppix specific programs -> Settings

to set a root password for the system

2. Run the Root Konsole ( check the menus of Knoppix ) and type : passwd
You should be asked now to enter a root password

If successful, launch an other konsole and type:
su
and enter the set password
If everything worked, you can use the root account now.

3. Boot into the console instead of the Desktop
When you see a promt look this

root@tty1[/]

type su to become root
type startx to start the Desktop

I hope they will work for you