I am having trouble with a SuSE Linux 9.0 system (2.4 Kernel) and a
USB Mass storage dev. In /var/log/messages i am getting a "USB device
not accepting new address=nn (error=-71)". I have read up on this
error and seen everyone online saying either bad device or bad cable
or back controller, some say driver but that is only when it doesnt
work at all. The only issue I have is that this is a new 250GB drive
usb 2.0 Maxtor (came with a new cable), also new Asus mobo with no
other USB issues, the problem is very inconsistant and usually will
work when you try it agian. I can't exactly just replace the unit
easily becuase it is a backup for a samba server for an accounting
firm, so they really would rather not be messing around with it. Also
when the cron job runs and the device is not availible i get a "I/O
error: dev 08:01, sector  0" and I was wondering if that is just
becuase it isn't hooked up.

So... My question is, does anyone have any fact driven insight on this
issue, and what other methods should I try to further diagnose this
problem.

That's a bug in the usb-storage module which comes with most 2.4 kernels.
The best you can do is upgrade your kernel, but you can try this as a
temporary solution:
- Plug the disk in an turn it on
- Unload the usb-storage module (rmmod usb-storage)
- Reload the usb-storage module (isnmod usb-storage)
It whould work now, you can take a look /var/log/messages to see if
everything is OK.

Thank you :)

not working still but i dont exactly care i think im gonna have to
just rebuild the kernel :(