Compact flash icon won't apper on desktop

Bought new G5 1.8 dual processor which came with Panther 10.3 and have since downloaded the update 10.3.2 and loaded all my software on. Problem is with my external compact flash card readers. I can't get the icon to appear on the desktop when the mac is switched on. I can only get the icon to appear if I plug the usb connection from the card reader with a compact flash card in it AFTER boot up, then I can use it normally.
Sometimes that doesn't work depending on which brand of compact flash card is in the reader. Also have two different makes of readers a Lexar firewire reader and a Sandisk reader. Have more success with the usb 2 reader.