linux and modem drivers

[imported_alp]

i just installed this, and i have 2 problems. 1 is just with linux. knoppix is installed to hard drive.
it says 'root login is not allowed'. i have tred earlier versions of knoppix and run root fine, but on 3.7 it won't login except from the console, where i don't know how to get back into kde etc.

also, i can't use my modem, which says it's ppp but is actually more like pppoe, it is a dsl connection which i have to connect at startup. the drivers for linux seem to have very vague instructions including downloading about 5 other things, compiling them all, and patching the kernel about 7 times. is there any easier way? i can't even try their instructions because i can't log in as root...

and please, no answers like 'you are a noob' or 'do something easier first'
i KNOW i'm new to linux, but it would be nice to have the ability to connect to the internet on it without having to 'learn' it for months first...

 

[Nothinman]

1) don't login as root. you should have created a normal user account for yourself, use that and use su/sudo to do things as root only when necessary.

 

[imported_alp]

ok, thanks. so there is no actual need to login as root?
and how do i allow myself to create folders with su/sudo then?

 

[Nothinman]

If you you know the root password you can type 'su -' and you'll get a root shell, from there you should be able to do whatever you need. I believe sudo on Knoppix is wide open, so you should be able to type 'sudo /bin/bash' and get a root shell that way if su doesn't work.