I tried that can got this on both machines:
me@host:~$ lsmod | grep usb
usbhid 41116 0
hid 83856 1 usbhid
me@host:~$ lsmod | grep hid
usbhid 41116 0
hid 83856 1 usbhid
Then I decided to run a few more tests. On my laptop I started to notice that I was getting more missed button presses. As it turns out the flirc was acting like it was sensitive to the closeness of the remote. I realized that in my previous tests I had been holding the remote right next to the flirc. So I plugged the flirc into my server and held the remote less than an inch from the flirc. That worked really well, every button press registered in XBMC. Backing off the remote even a few inches caused missed button presses. The more distance the more misses. So now I began to suspect a weak remote.
I borrowed a newer Samsung player remote and attempted to do a quick flirc key recording (I had used this remote before with good results). I'm running Flirc GUI v0.96. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a recording to work. Everytime I would press GO the GUI would automatically go through the directional keys, enter key, and back key without me even pressing any keys on the remote. Even more unfortunate, now the flirc has no keys set at all and is therefor useless. I have a backup of the last settings and have tried to restore that using the GUI. It reports success, but I get absolutely no response when using the remote.
I can only think that I will need to run down to the local computer store and buy a MS media remote. Unless someone has a trick that can restore the flirc to functionality.
Thanks for your efforts.