Typically yes. But from what I gather, this isn't a standard USB device, insofar that it doesn't communicate like one. Its acting more like an RS232 serial interface, and the HW ID that is detected at system startup is what sends the PS3 into service mode. Serial interfaces are notorious for not being hot-swappable, hence why in the old days you had to plug a serial device in THEN turn on your system. Again I may be wrong or misinformed, and if so, someone please correct me, but I believe thats how and why.