ive downloaded the Knoppix cd and unfortunately it a LIVE CD. is there a way to install it on the Hard drive
Knoppix is a live distro, if you want to install a Linux distro, then get something like Debian, Ubuntu, Mandriva (One version is live/installer on a single disc).
There are ways to install knoppix but I think it has issues. Like Addis said your best off with a proper install distro. Hd Install HowTo - Knoppix Documentation Wiki
i did exactly the same with knoppix, it is possible to run knoppix from HDD, but it's not fun (yet, cos i don't know how to do it, stick with a Live / Installer distro, another to add to those distro's Addis suggested, PCLinuxOS it's very reminisent of Mandriva yep,that'd start installer alright
Knoppix is basically a live-only version of Debian, which is configured for usage as a tool. It's not really meant to be a primary OS -- it doesn't even use font anti-aliasing. If you want to install Knoppix, just run the real Debian. In that case I'd recommend the testing build, "Etch" since the stable version, "Sarge", would be a bit uncomfortable for desktop usage since the packages are so old. Alternately, the many flavors of Ubuntu are Debian derivatives which would also fill the niche.
tried kubuntu and cant really find any files that are exe to install. if i put it on a cd and boot it, then it shud start installer right.
There should be a link on the desktop called "Install" to install Ubuntu. Ive never actually got it to install (it crashes everytime) but its there none the less.
Kubuntu was easy to install, the version I have you boot from the live CD and like zeus said there's an icon on the desktop to install Kubuntu - go through some easy to understand steps and Kubuntu will install, I'd say go with Kubuntu as KDE is much nicer than Gnome, but that's my personal opinion though.
.EXE files are exlusive to Windows. They do not work in Linux unless you run a Windows emulator such as WINE
The '.exe' extension is the DOS way of saying "this file is an executable binary". In Linux, there is no such limitation. A file needn't have an extension at all in order to be executable.