Yeah my usb doesn't work in the 2.6.1 kernel on a modified knoppix 3.4 cebit I'm using, but I can just-

sudo /etc/init.d/hotplug restart

and then it works. On my hdd-install I made an icon for running that command, and since my laptop's touchpad works fine, I just click it to get my logitech mouse and usb pen drive working.