Random Zaurus disconnects (hardware problem?)

[whanau]

I have installed the 5500 zaurus handheld onto my gentoo system. After rebooting hotplug detects it and loads the right modules. I am then able to ping the zaurus (it appears with ifconfig -a) for approximately 30 seconds before it drops out of the ifconfig entry. Nothing I can do will recognise it again. I have tried to hard reset the unit to no avail.

Loading up usbview, the zaurus appears as an entry, but constantly drops off and on as the screen refreshes

Surely this can't be the work of software. /var/log/messages filled with disconnect and reconnect messages such as this below

Jan 14 16:30:58 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: register event not handled
Jan 14 16:30:58 mark kernel: usb.c: USB disconnect on device 00:1f.2-1 address 67
Jan 14 16:30:58 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: how do I bring interfaces down on this distro?
Jan 14 16:30:58 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: unregister event not handled
Jan 14 16:30:58 mark /etc/hotplug/usb.agent: ... no modules for USB product 4dd/8004/0
Jan 14 16:30:58 mark kernel: hub.c: new USB device 00:1f.2-1, assigned address 68
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: how do I bring interfaces up on this distro?
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: register event not handled
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark kernel: usb.c: USB disconnect on device 00:1f.2-1 address 68
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: how do I bring interfaces down on this distro?
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: unregister event not handled
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark kernel: hub.c: new USB device 00:1f.2-1, assigned address 69
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: how do I bring interfaces up on this distro?
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: register event not handled
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark kernel: usb.c: USB disconnect on device 00:1f.2-1 address 69
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/usb.agent: ... no modules for USB product 4dd/8004/0
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: how do I bring interfaces down on this distro?
Jan 14 16:30:59 mark /etc/hotplug/net.agent: unregister event not handled
Jan 14 16:31:00 mark /etc/hotplug/usb.agent: ... no modules for USB product 4dd/8004/0

I'm a bit confused as to y net.agent is being called. In addition there is no reason why usb.agent can't find the usbdnet module since it does during boot. And y do these messages keep repeating ? Has the Z and my usb hub gone bezerk?

My system specs are
kernel 2.4.20 (vanilla patched with usbdnet)
usbcore and usb-uhci modules loaded at boot
VC820 intel mother board
(please request more info if needed)

Has anyone had similar problems? Please help me I don't wanna go back to debian!

[uxbod]

Hi, getting exactly the same problems here! I think on payday will have to get a WLAN card and base station I did notice that you can always ping the USB cradle though so would suggest a problem with the Zaurus IP.