I think you ought to have ndiswrapper included in Knoppix, and I think that is the only route to getting that particular wifi chip running.
I have not yet managed to use a windows driver with ndiswrapper, but I am a Linux tyro like yourself. I have found that rather than try to bull-head a specific chip, its more realistic to go out and source a wifi card that is verified as supported. I have Belkin (Ralink chip) and D-Link (Atheros chip) cards I can use with Suse for example. Maybe the Knoppix support forums will direct you in the right direction.
Have fun trying though - its part of the deal! As ever google is your friend.
Try here first:
http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Wireless_Networking