Have you tried different USB jacks? See if only that particular one is damaged?
I have a similar drive as the one you've installed. It uses a USB header (internal kind) for the plug. That goes onto the motherboard.
Now, theoretically you can severely damage your system by connecting the wrong USB pins to the wrong wire....
Here's the layout of a header:

Naturally you don't want that +5V going to the wrong place!
So when I plugged my 4-pin internal USB plug (from my reader) into my header, I had to check the wires on the plug and make sure it was twisted the proper way around on the header.
Theoretically you could damage your USB on your motherboard, but realistically I've only heard of harming the device itself if you put the plug on the wrong way.
It maybe the case (maybe) that installing the drivers for this reader has screwed with your drivers for your stick?