USB Ethernet not available after reboot

I have a strange problem with the Apple USB Ethernet Adapter on my Macmini4,1 running Mac OS 10.6.4. After restarting the Mac, the network interface is not available. When I go to “System Preferences: Network” and click Add, the interface is not listed as on of the available interfaces. But it is listed with a self-assigned IP in the list of configured network interfaces.

If I unplug the adapter and plug it right back in again, then the interface works at ones and I get a network connection. But having to do this—and remember that it must be done—every time I start my system is annoying.

Does anyone have a solution for this?

Or know of a workaround? I guess tricking the Mac to virtually unplugged and then replug it would also work. I don’t know how this could be done.

 

Not MBA exclusive

After searching for solutions to this for hours, I have found that the very same issue happens for many MacBook Air owners. It seems to be the Mac’s USB system that is faulty.