This seems to be a problem with something in slackware... I copied this from some mailinglist.
On Mon, 27 Dec 2004, Christian Heimanns wrote:
> Hello to all
>
> My problem: Since kernel >= 2.6.9-bk7 I've problems with one of my USB
> sticks. It is a noname one but worked very well with older kernel
> versions. When I plug in the stick following (error) messages are generated:
>
> Dec 27 17:15:07 notebook kernel: usb 1-4: new high speed USB device
> using ehci_hcd and address 2
> Dec 27 17:15:08 notebook kernel: usb 3-2: new full speed USB device
> using uhci_hcd and address 3
> Dec 27 17:15:08 notebook kernel: usb 3-2: new full speed USB device
> using uhci_hcd and address 4
> Dec 27 17:15:08 notebook kernel: usb 3-2: device descriptor read/64,
> error -71
> Dec 27 17:15:09 notebook last message repeated 3 times
>
> Sometimes (1 of 10 times) the stick is recognized normal. I'm using
> Slackware 10 with the latest kernel (2.6.10) and all Slackware updates.
> A different USB stick (64MB, USB 1.1) and a external 60 GB Harddisk (USB
> 2.0) are working fine.
>
> Thanks for help,
You may be able to avoid this problem by loading the usbcore.ko module
with module parameter:
old_scheme_first=y
You might also read this:
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedo.../msg04612.html