LEt start with im a noob and i dont know anything really about linux...i got a knopix (im not sure how to spell it) it the distro that u boot from a disk...anyway i have a toshiba cable modem and it connect to my computer threw a usb port. i know that linux knows i there cause i was able to find a program that lets u see what plugged into ur usb's but how do i get linux to use the internet from my cable modem?

http://www.cablemodeminfo.com/LinuxCableModem.html

These are basic steps to set whatever device with linux:

- Pick the device and look at it. There must be brand names and/or model names somwhere. Even better, you may be able to find fcc codes. Fcc codes identify unmistakably a device.

- You can do the above with the manual, instead of the device.

- Search google for "linux fcc-code-you-found", or even better "nome-of-your-distro name/model-of-the-device".

The stuff you see on your screen should help you a big deal. In case it didn't, I would:

- Make sure the device is correctly installed. Since you use knoppix, we can more os less rely on its acknowledged hardware detection.

- Try to set its networking.

- To set your network, you can use the ifconfig command, that will show you lots of good info, including whether you have a valid IP. ON konqueror do man:ifconfig for more details.

- If you have a valid IP, you can use ping to test your network. Also, if you can load google just by IP (64.233.167.99) but you can't browse anything on the internet (very common problem), you have to go for a dns server.

Post again if it fails.