My usb device works for a while then quits.

[Sean McMahon]

I have an alva connected bia usb to my computer but after a few minutes of
activity, it quits.  Root can access the device but a normal user can't.
Someone suggested I mount the usb devfs as read/write.  The question is where is
hotplug/libusb mounting the usb system and what is the best way to re-mount it?
System info:
Debian unstable running on a toshiba laptop with one usb port.  /proc/bus/usb
system is supported by the kernel as a module.  The kernel is a custome 2.4.27
with usb suported as a module.  Discover and hotplug as well as libusb are
installed.  I'm not sure what other information I should give you.
Thanks