I have old server box, with integrated USB 1.1 based on - VT82C686A chipset - also IDE interface!
I need USB 2.0 - no problem get an "st-lab" USB 2.0 card based on VIA6112L, disable integrated USB from BIOS. But after boot of a "base" Debian 4.0 installation uhci driver still remain. I can remove it by hand, using "modprobe -r uhci_hcd" module - it's free many resources - and USB port is working well (check use flash drive).
I'm tried /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist blacklist uhci_hcd and uhci-hcd but does not work. Seem to be it's loaded by kernel?!

How to disable loading unwanted kernel module in case of precompiled kernel?
Yes, I forget I'm trying a dirty trick - rename uhci-hcd.ko module - but it isd also does not work;(

I don't know why blacklisting doesn't work, but you can always put "modprobe -r uhci_hcd" in /etc/rc.local.

I agree, it is a possible "solution". Only I do not sure that /etc/rc.local a good place in Debian.
I would like to understand why is it loaded, as I wrote I tried to rename the apropriate driver /lib/modules ...
usb/host/uhci-hcl.ko - but driver still loaded!? I think that is it coming from initrd - ramfs which is booted at first time and includes all drivers seem to be apropriate.
"Background": I'm going to renew my home server - go to Debian 4.0 Etch. I started netinst, w/o addon card put in, on basic installation - after, when basic installation was completed I have put two cards. First is USB 2.0 and after a SATA controller card (I plan use hotplug SATA for backup). Problem, is the USB 2.0 need EHCI driver, but is it work with UHCI also (tried with previouse Debian version 3.1 with compiled configured kernel), what meen (I think) that is it would work on less possible speed