When creating an ext3 filesystem with Knoppix 3.1 the filesystem is created with an extra option that prevents debian woody from being able to fsck it correctly (hence it cannot boot). Too get around this after you have created your ext3 filesystem (mke2fs -j <device>) execute the following commands
debugfs -w <device> feature -dir_index Ctrl-D
Debian Woody should now be able to use the filesystem without problems.
AristotlePagaltzis points out that the same outcome can be achieved using the following command
tune2fs -O ^dir_index
When booting on a machine which has a swap partition, Knoppix should automagically find it and use it. This will make the whole system much faster (remember that it has no real disk only ram disk by default). Alternatively you can set up a file called "swapfile" in the root directory of any non-NTFS partition and Knoppix will use that as a swap file. Details at: 
http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/FaqRescue
There are notes on remastering knoppix at http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/KnoppixRemasteringHowto. This will let you create your own, custom, Knoppix based distribution
WLUG has a customised Knoppix distribution. See WLUGKnoppix?
One page links to KnoppixNotes:
