usb_storage module no being autoloaded:

sudo echo usb_storage >> /etc/modules

Open /etc/X11/xorg.conf and add the following to the serverflags section:

        Option          "DontZap"               "false"

If the section doesn't exist add it:

Section "ServerFlags"
        Option          "DontZap"               "false"
EndSection

Xorg needs to be re-started for the change to be applied.