export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Knoppix_Remastering_Howto
When testing X-based programs, you will have to
export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0
which will allow you to connect to your normal X session. Alternately (if you need to test window managers), you can create a nested X session. Outside of the chroot, run
Xnest -ac :1
Within the chroot, set your DISPLAY variable
export DISPLAY=localhost:1
Interesting stuff in /etc/init.d/xsession :
it ALSO sets background as /usr/local/lib/knoppix.gif