I still reckon this is a software issue. Typical Windows.
Never had any problem on my tablet, plug a memory stick in and it's recognised.
But when I put the same stick in a Windows machine I get all sorts of problems. Usually it is simply no response. Sometimes it is 'Device not recognised' or similar. Have to keep on trying until the stick is recognised. Machines with XP are ok, Windows 7 is really bad.
I suspect that it is a Windows polling issue, it simply gets its timing cycle wrong because it is trying to do too much and messing up the interrupts.
Perhaps it might be a good idea to give the machine time to settle and then shut down all activity before usb plug-in. Use the three-fingered salute (ctl-alt-del) and then kill all activity.
Or get a tablet.