usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71

Hi,
~
I am using knoppix 5.1.1 based on the Linux 2.6.19 kernel
~
sh-3.1# uname -r
2.6.19
~
I started Linux/knoppix with the cheatcode
~
knoppix init 2
~
then, after plugging in an external minidrive (before even starting X/KDE),
I got:
~
Synchronizing SCSI cache for disk sda:
FAILED
status = 0, message = 00, vhost = 1, driver = 00
<7> APIC error on CPU00: 01(01)
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
.. . .
~
I read from the error message and from some postings out there that it is
related to the combination of USB + APIC (+ low speed devices + bad
drivers?), that it also happens with printers, pen drives and wireless
cards connected via USB, so I started Linux/knoppix with:
~
knoppix apic=off noapic init 2
~
then I didn't get the first error stanzas, but only the
~
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
.. . .
~
ones repeatedly
~
Why are these problems happening?
~
How can I fix them?
~
Thanks
lbrtchx