So if I unplug and replug a PS/2 mouse into a linux machine X won't start. I tried running kudzu (RH8) and mouseconfig but that doesn't work. Is there a way to re-initialize it w/o having to reboot?

The reason I ask this is because the native report rate for the USB port is 125 Hz and the PS/2 port can be clocked up to 200 Hz within windows XP or with drivers (eg. logitech).Now you can ...

Raymond Chen, a developer at Microsoft, explains how an adapter that converts a USB Type-A terminal, which was once included with some mice and keyboards, into a PS/2 connector works.