probably a basic question, but i couldn't find it anywhere... thanks

There usually isn't one. In a terminal just type:
su -

ok, now I'm a noob trying to use this to backup files so i can restore my messed up Redhat 9. (post "Boot problems...")

i am trying to change my network settings to get filesharing going to put them on my other computer on the network, so I go to control panel and try to change it but it says i need to change to administrator, i leave the password area blank, and it says "incorrect password"

unfortunately, I don't know how to change the network settings through terminal, because I'm fairly new to this. Is there a way to change the network filesharing with a Windows XP computer through terminal. I typed what you said but same problems outside of terminal

I'm not sure if this going to work but give it a try. Press ctrl-alt-fn, where fn is between 1 and 6. You'll be switched to text terminals. On one of those, you should see a prompt with #
you have root privilleges on this terminal. Now type
startx -- :1
with luck, this'll start kde for root (I'm not sure knoppix will allow this, though) where you'll have all the privilleges you need.

In the menu in Knoppix, under KNOPPIX, I believe there is a shortcut to a Root Console.

You don't need the root password to use that one (at least on my Knoppix CD).

as an alternative try the following
on the console type
su -
you will become root, now change the password for root
passwd
type new password and you should be set.
Also by default I believe knoppix as password will do as well (not sure about this one though)