As for why USB devices, as of late, have so many problems: http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtop...?p=82161#82161
3. tried to mount my Lexar usb drive where I keep my install goodies. Wouldn't mount .... DMESG showed SDA1 now called UBA1..... why ???
This is due to a linux kernel change. The very brain of the OS, the Linux kernel version 2.6.x, the internal architechture has changed and this has resulted in USB devices mapped to /dev/uba. Yes this is frustrating but going forward, this may be a permanent change. It is more logical to have USB devices at a /dev/uba1 as opposed to /dev/sda1 because /dev/sd? was created years ago for SCSI devices.
This change occured in the time between Knoppix 3.7 & 3.8.x and the change is resident in Knoppix 3.8.x.

1 sudo modprobe natsemi
Unless I read your description wrong, natsemi is wrong driver for your Via technology VT6102 RhineII connection. The proper driver is via-rhine. From linux kernel 2.6.11.10 configuration help:
If you have a VIA "Rhine" based network card (Rhine-I (VT86C100A), Rhine-II (VT6102), or Rhine-III (VT6105)), say Y here. Rhine-type Ethernet functions can also be found integrated on South Bridges (e.g. VT8235). To compile this driver as a module, choose M here. The module will be called via-rhine.
Now that we have identified that driver, my question to you: Is that via vt6102 device the USB device or the 10/100 LAN connection either on the motherboard or as a PCI card?