USB Flash memory with Knoppix and Linspire
 

I have Win2K/Linspire dual boot system. I use an ancient and unmarked USB flash memory to transfer data between various Win2K/XP systems without any problems. Win2K tells me the FS is FAT.

I tried it with Knoppix 3.6 and was surprised to find it did not work. I tried the Wiki and various previous questions and other sites. This was all too technical for me so I tried it with Linspire. This did not work either but I will save that for another question.

It is very difficult to seach for help on this topic because the things have so many names. The conclusions that I have come to from what I have read is that it all depends on which particular distribution and release of Linux you have and which particular USB Flash memory you are using. Then, even if it is going to work, you have to do mysterious things to mount it.

Can someone explain why these things should be a problem - USB and FAT are both industry standards? Why should it be any more difficult than mounting a floppy disk (which seems to be a very similar operation)?

My particular interest in this is that I want to build a Microsoft-free box that grandad (ie me) can use and which is also suitable for children with special educational needs.