[ by Howard Haykin ] Knight Capital Group, with advice from Sandler O'Neill & Partners LP, conducted rescue talks with several firms, including Bank of America Corp.  The firms are taking a preliminary look at Knight and, given all the uncertainties surrounding Knight current and future state, chances of a deal are small said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the process is private.  Knight needs a deal to survive the $440 million trading loss, and has opened its books to suitors. KKR & Co., TPG Capital, and Silver Lake are among the buyout firms that have initial interest in making an investment in Knight (KCG) Capital Group, according to 2 people with knowledge of the matter.  Bank of America Corp. also came Thursday to "talk rescue" with Knight.  Representatives at TPG, KKR, and Silver Lake declined to comment. John Yiannacopoulos, a Bank of America spokesman, declined to comment. Knight Capital told brokers it obtained short-term financing to fund market making, giving the firm money for today, said a person with knowledge of the matter.  Jersey City, NJ-based Knight, one of the biggest U.S. market makers, needed the financing to give it the necessary time to explore strategic and financial alternatives after a software malfunction cost the company almost four times what it earned last year.  The firm’s shares lost 75% in two days after its computers flooded the market with unintended trades, sending dozens of stocks into spasms.  It gained some today, but with a weak market and a weaker financial sector, it could be quite some time before Knight gets close to where they were. And, there are just so many uncertainties, like how far will the regulators (primarily the SEC) push the investigation and potential sanctions.  But at least the firm, its management and its staff know they will have a place to "hang their hats" on Monday morning.  Other firms - like Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers were not so fortunate. For further details, go to:  [Bloomberg, 8/2/12].