Bootable Linux Demo Distro - Knoppix

ts writes "Newsforge has an article about using Linux to recover Windows partitions. The interesting part is not only the article, but also the comment about Knoppix a Live-on-CD distribution of Linux. I just downloaded it and it booted from CD on a Shuttle Spacewalker SS25. AMAZING. Even the audio works. Have any /. users found interesting uses for this distro?" I've been looking for exactly this to use in demonstrations. Perfect.

The most convincing Linux Evangelizer

[rickymoz]

When talking of Linux, a lot of people think it is still like DOS. When I tell them to boot the computer and in the meantime inserted Knoppix, they go like "wow! that's Linux?!?!" Usually the boot takes 3 minutes and I guarantee them I don't change anything on their disk. Telling them that they have 8000 USD value software on this disk and show them things like OpenOffice.org, Mozilla, The GIMP, KOffice, the games, they can't utter a sound.

Even me, when I discover a new Knoppix CD, I cannot believe my eyes: every latest version is on it and it's running rock solid.

Re:Forensics and network trouble shooting

[rakslice]

>>Because its on a CDR we know the tools are safe.

Huh? What does it being on a CDR have to do with whether or not you can use it to modify the HD contents?

bulging eyes...

[4im]

... is what I got out of the instructor at the MS Active Directory course, when I just booted a Knoppix CD instead of the W2K Server on the harddisk.

He ended up admitting that it was quite nice, and that indeed he and his colleagues were experimenting with RedHat... I wonder how long they'll remain MS Certified Training Center ;-)

Re:hmmm -but which is odder

[dougmc]

Here's some instructions for making a bootable Windows 98 cd. This doesn't boot you into DOS -- it boots you into Windows, with the GUI, registry, etc. all up and working. And it all works off the cd.

Haven't had a need to try it myself, but if you need it, you can find the instructions here [heise.de].

Re:The most convincing Linux Evangelizer

[Mark Hood]

I'm not seeing anything amazing here. "Even the audio works." (insert gasps of amazement here.)

Having used Linux since 1.x days, on a variety of nasty, obsolete, and far-too-new hardware, I'm gasping in amazement.
I never got sound working :)