diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.c b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.c
index 953784c..22bd830 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.c
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "pvrusb2-ioread.h"
 #include "pvrusb2-hdw.h"
 #include "pvrusb2-debug.h"
+#include <linux/kthread.h>
 #include <linux/errno.h>
 #include <linux/string.h>
 #include <linux/slab.h>
@@ -30,32 +31,65 @@
 
 static void pvr2_context_destroy(struct pvr2_context *mp)
 {
-	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT,"Destroying pvr_main id=%p",mp);
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,"pvr2_context %p (destroy)",mp);
 	if (mp->hdw) pvr2_hdw_destroy(mp->hdw);
 	kfree(mp);
 }
 
 
-static void pvr2_context_state_check(struct pvr2_context *mp)
+static void pvr2_context_notify(struct pvr2_context *mp)
 {
-	if (mp->init_flag) return;
+	mp->notify_flag = !0;
+	wake_up(&mp->wait_data);
+}
 
-	switch (pvr2_hdw_get_state(mp->hdw)) {
-	case PVR2_STATE_WARM: break;
-	case PVR2_STATE_ERROR: break;
-	case PVR2_STATE_READY: break;
-	case PVR2_STATE_RUN: break;
-	default: return;
+
+static int pvr2_context_thread(void *_mp)
+{
+	struct pvr2_channel *ch1,*ch2;
+	struct pvr2_context *mp = _mp;
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,"pvr2_context %p (thread start)",mp);
+
+	/* Finish hardware initialization */
+	if (pvr2_hdw_initialize(mp->hdw,
+				(void (*)(void *))pvr2_context_notify,mp)) {
+		mp->video_stream.stream =
+			pvr2_hdw_get_video_stream(mp->hdw);
+		/* Trigger interface initialization.  By doing this here
+		   initialization runs in our own safe and cozy thread
+		   context. */
+		if (mp->setup_func) mp->setup_func(mp);
+	} else {
+		pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,
+			   "pvr2_context %p (thread skipping setup)",mp);
+		/* Even though initialization did not succeed, we're still
+		   going to enter the wait loop anyway.  We need to do this
+		   in order to await the expected disconnect (which we will
+		   detect in the normal course of operation). */
 	}
 
-	pvr2_context_enter(mp); do {
-		mp->init_flag = !0;
-		mp->video_stream.stream = pvr2_hdw_get_video_stream(mp->hdw);
-		if (mp->setup_func) {
-			mp->setup_func(mp);
+	/* Now just issue callbacks whenever hardware state changes or if
+	   there is a disconnect.  If there is a disconnect and there are
+	   no channels left, then there's no reason to stick around anymore
+	   so we'll self-destruct - tearing down the rest of this driver
+	   instance along the way. */
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,"pvr2_context %p (thread enter loop)",mp);
+	while (!mp->disconnect_flag || mp->mc_first) {
+		if (mp->notify_flag) {
+			mp->notify_flag = 0;
+			pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,
+				   "pvr2_context %p (thread notify)",mp);
+			for (ch1 = mp->mc_first; ch1; ch1 = ch2) {
+				ch2 = ch1->mc_next;
+				if (ch1->check_func) ch1->check_func(ch1);
+			}
 		}
-	} while (0); pvr2_context_exit(mp);
- }
+		wait_event_interruptible(mp->wait_data, mp->notify_flag);
+	}
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,"pvr2_context %p (thread end)",mp);
+	pvr2_context_destroy(mp);
+	return 0;
+}
 
 
 struct pvr2_context *pvr2_context_create(
@@ -63,10 +97,12 @@
 	const struct usb_device_id *devid,
 	void (*setup_func)(struct pvr2_context *))
 {
+	struct task_struct *thread;
 	struct pvr2_context *mp = NULL;
 	mp = kzalloc(sizeof(*mp),GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!mp) goto done;
-	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT,"Creating pvr_main id=%p",mp);
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CTXT,"pvr2_context %p (create)",mp);
+	init_waitqueue_head(&mp->wait_data);
 	mp->setup_func = setup_func;
 	mutex_init(&mp->mutex);
 	mp->hdw = pvr2_hdw_create(intf,devid);
@@ -75,57 +111,45 @@
 		mp = NULL;
 		goto done;
 	}
-	pvr2_hdw_initialize(mp->hdw,
-			    (void (*)(void *))pvr2_context_state_check,
-			    mp);
+	thread = kthread_run(pvr2_context_thread, mp, "pvrusb2-context");
+	if (!thread) {
+		pvr2_context_destroy(mp);
+		mp = NULL;
+		goto done;
+	}
  done:
 	return mp;
 }
 
 
-void pvr2_context_enter(struct pvr2_context *mp)
+static void pvr2_context_enter(struct pvr2_context *mp)
 {
 	mutex_lock(&mp->mutex);
-	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CREG,"pvr2_context_enter(id=%p)",mp);
 }
 
 
-void pvr2_context_exit(struct pvr2_context *mp)
+static void pvr2_context_exit(struct pvr2_context *mp)
 {
 	int destroy_flag = 0;
 	if (!(mp->mc_first || !mp->disconnect_flag)) {
 		destroy_flag = !0;
 	}
-	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_CREG,"pvr2_context_exit(id=%p) outside",mp);
 	mutex_unlock(&mp->mutex);
-	if (destroy_flag) pvr2_context_destroy(mp);
-}
-
-
-static void pvr2_context_run_checks(struct pvr2_context *mp)
-{
-	struct pvr2_channel *ch1,*ch2;
-	for (ch1 = mp->mc_first; ch1; ch1 = ch2) {
-		ch2 = ch1->mc_next;
-		if (ch1->check_func) {
-			ch1->check_func(ch1);
-		}
-	}
+	if (destroy_flag) pvr2_context_notify(mp);
 }
 
 
 void pvr2_context_disconnect(struct pvr2_context *mp)
 {
-	pvr2_context_enter(mp); do {
-		pvr2_hdw_disconnect(mp->hdw);
-		mp->disconnect_flag = !0;
-		pvr2_context_run_checks(mp);
-	} while (0); pvr2_context_exit(mp);
+	pvr2_hdw_disconnect(mp->hdw);
+	mp->disconnect_flag = !0;
+	pvr2_context_notify(mp);
 }
 
 
 void pvr2_channel_init(struct pvr2_channel *cp,struct pvr2_context *mp)
 {
+	pvr2_context_enter(mp);
 	cp->hdw = mp->hdw;
 	cp->mc_head = mp;
 	cp->mc_next = NULL;
@@ -136,6 +160,7 @@
 		mp->mc_first = cp;
 	}
 	mp->mc_last = cp;
+	pvr2_context_exit(mp);
 }
 
 
@@ -151,6 +176,7 @@
 void pvr2_channel_done(struct pvr2_channel *cp)
 {
 	struct pvr2_context *mp = cp->mc_head;
+	pvr2_context_enter(mp);
 	pvr2_channel_disclaim_stream(cp);
 	if (cp->mc_next) {
 		cp->mc_next->mc_prev = cp->mc_prev;
@@ -163,6 +189,7 @@
 		mp->mc_first = cp->mc_next;
 	}
 	cp->hdw = NULL;
+	pvr2_context_exit(mp);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.h b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.h
index 96b255f..127ec53 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.h
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-context.h
@@ -43,8 +43,10 @@
 	struct pvr2_hdw *hdw;
 	struct pvr2_context_stream video_stream;
 	struct mutex mutex;
+	int notify_flag;
 	int disconnect_flag;
-	int init_flag;
+
+	wait_queue_head_t wait_data;
 
 	/* Called after pvr2_context initialization is complete */
 	void (*setup_func)(struct pvr2_context *);
@@ -60,9 +62,6 @@
 	void (*check_func)(struct pvr2_channel *);
 };
 
-void pvr2_context_enter(struct pvr2_context *);
-void pvr2_context_exit(struct pvr2_context *);
-
 struct pvr2_context *pvr2_context_create(struct usb_interface *intf,
 					 const struct usb_device_id *devid,
 					 void (*setup_func)(struct pvr2_context *));
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-debug.h b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-debug.h
index fca49d8..11537dd 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-debug.h
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-debug.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 #define PVR2_TRACE_EEPROM     (1 << 10) /* eeprom parsing / report */
 #define PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT     (1 << 11) /* internal struct creation */
 #define PVR2_TRACE_OPEN_CLOSE (1 << 12) /* application open / close */
-#define PVR2_TRACE_CREG       (1 << 13) /* Main critical region entry / exit */
+#define PVR2_TRACE_CTXT       (1 << 13) /* Main context tracking */
 #define PVR2_TRACE_SYSFS      (1 << 14) /* Sysfs driven I/O */
 #define PVR2_TRACE_FIRMWARE   (1 << 15) /* firmware upload actions */
 #define PVR2_TRACE_CHIPS      (1 << 16) /* chip broadcast operation */
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw-internal.h b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw-internal.h
index bc341ae..c725495 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw-internal.h
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw-internal.h
@@ -187,7 +187,6 @@
 	struct workqueue_struct *workqueue;
 	struct work_struct workpoll;     /* Update driver state */
 	struct work_struct worki2csync;  /* Update i2c clients */
-	struct work_struct workinit;     /* Driver initialization sequence */
 
 	/* Video spigot */
 	struct pvr2_stream *vid_stream;
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.c b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.c
index 1dff2d0..7e7c570 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.c
@@ -221,7 +221,6 @@
 static void pvr2_hdw_set_cur_freq(struct pvr2_hdw *,unsigned long);
 static void pvr2_hdw_worker_i2c(struct work_struct *work);
 static void pvr2_hdw_worker_poll(struct work_struct *work);
-static void pvr2_hdw_worker_init(struct work_struct *work);
 static int pvr2_hdw_wait(struct pvr2_hdw *,int state);
 static int pvr2_hdw_untrip_unlocked(struct pvr2_hdw *);
 static void pvr2_hdw_state_log_state(struct pvr2_hdw *);
@@ -1816,15 +1815,16 @@
 /* Perform second stage initialization.  Set callback pointer first so that
    we can avoid a possible initialization race (if the kernel thread runs
    before the callback has been set). */
-void pvr2_hdw_initialize(struct pvr2_hdw *hdw,
-			 void (*callback_func)(void *),
-			 void *callback_data)
+int pvr2_hdw_initialize(struct pvr2_hdw *hdw,
+			void (*callback_func)(void *),
+			void *callback_data)
 {
 	LOCK_TAKE(hdw->big_lock); do {
 		hdw->state_data = callback_data;
 		hdw->state_func = callback_func;
 	} while (0); LOCK_GIVE(hdw->big_lock);
-	queue_work(hdw->workqueue,&hdw->workinit);
+	pvr2_hdw_setup(hdw);
+	return hdw->flag_init_ok;
 }
 
 
@@ -2032,7 +2032,6 @@
 	hdw->workqueue = create_singlethread_workqueue(hdw->name);
 	INIT_WORK(&hdw->workpoll,pvr2_hdw_worker_poll);
 	INIT_WORK(&hdw->worki2csync,pvr2_hdw_worker_i2c);
-	INIT_WORK(&hdw->workinit,pvr2_hdw_worker_init);
 
 	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_INIT,"Driver unit number is %d, name is %s",
 		   hdw->unit_number,hdw->name);
@@ -2517,15 +2516,6 @@
 }
 
 
-static void pvr2_hdw_worker_init(struct work_struct *work)
-{
-	struct pvr2_hdw *hdw = container_of(work,struct pvr2_hdw,workinit);
-	LOCK_TAKE(hdw->big_lock); do {
-		pvr2_hdw_setup(hdw);
-	} while (0); LOCK_GIVE(hdw->big_lock);
-}
-
-
 static int pvr2_hdw_wait(struct pvr2_hdw *hdw,int state)
 {
 	return wait_event_interruptible(
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.h b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.h
index 597ee50..a868e52 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.h
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-hdw.h
@@ -103,9 +103,9 @@
 
 /* Perform second stage initialization, passing in a notification callback
    for when the master state changes. */
-void pvr2_hdw_initialize(struct pvr2_hdw *,
-			 void (*callback_func)(void *),
-			 void *callback_data);
+int pvr2_hdw_initialize(struct pvr2_hdw *,
+			void (*callback_func)(void *),
+			void *callback_data);
 
 /* Destroy hardware interaction structure */
 void pvr2_hdw_destroy(struct pvr2_hdw *);
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-v4l2.c b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-v4l2.c
index e878c64..249d748 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-v4l2.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/pvrusb2/pvrusb2-v4l2.c
@@ -884,7 +884,6 @@
 {
 	struct pvr2_v4l2_fh *fhp = file->private_data;
 	struct pvr2_v4l2 *vp = fhp->vhead;
-	struct pvr2_context *mp = fhp->vhead->channel.mc_head;
 	struct pvr2_hdw *hdw = fhp->channel.mc_head->hdw;
 
 	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_OPEN_CLOSE,"pvr2_v4l2_release");
@@ -901,42 +900,40 @@
 	v4l2_prio_close(&vp->prio, &fhp->prio);
 	file->private_data = NULL;
 
-	pvr2_context_enter(mp); do {
-		/* Restore the previous input selection, if it makes sense
-		   to do so. */
-		if (fhp->dev_info->v4l_type == VFL_TYPE_RADIO) {
-			struct pvr2_ctrl *cp;
-			int pval;
-			cp = pvr2_hdw_get_ctrl_by_id(hdw,PVR2_CID_INPUT);
-			pvr2_ctrl_get_value(cp,&pval);
-			/* Only restore if we're still selecting the radio */
-			if (pval == PVR2_CVAL_INPUT_RADIO) {
-				pvr2_ctrl_set_value(cp,fhp->prev_input_val);
-				pvr2_hdw_commit_ctl(hdw);
-			}
+	/* Restore the previous input selection, if it makes sense
+	   to do so. */
+	if (fhp->dev_info->v4l_type == VFL_TYPE_RADIO) {
+		struct pvr2_ctrl *cp;
+		int pval;
+		cp = pvr2_hdw_get_ctrl_by_id(hdw,PVR2_CID_INPUT);
+		pvr2_ctrl_get_value(cp,&pval);
+		/* Only restore if we're still selecting the radio */
+		if (pval == PVR2_CVAL_INPUT_RADIO) {
+			pvr2_ctrl_set_value(cp,fhp->prev_input_val);
+			pvr2_hdw_commit_ctl(hdw);
 		}
+	}
 
-		if (fhp->vnext) {
-			fhp->vnext->vprev = fhp->vprev;
-		} else {
-			vp->vlast = fhp->vprev;
-		}
-		if (fhp->vprev) {
-			fhp->vprev->vnext = fhp->vnext;
-		} else {
-			vp->vfirst = fhp->vnext;
-		}
-		fhp->vnext = NULL;
-		fhp->vprev = NULL;
-		fhp->vhead = NULL;
-		pvr2_channel_done(&fhp->channel);
-		pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT,
-			   "Destroying pvr_v4l2_fh id=%p",fhp);
-		kfree(fhp);
-		if (vp->channel.mc_head->disconnect_flag && !vp->vfirst) {
-			pvr2_v4l2_destroy_no_lock(vp);
-		}
-	} while (0); pvr2_context_exit(mp);
+	if (fhp->vnext) {
+		fhp->vnext->vprev = fhp->vprev;
+	} else {
+		vp->vlast = fhp->vprev;
+	}
+	if (fhp->vprev) {
+		fhp->vprev->vnext = fhp->vnext;
+	} else {
+		vp->vfirst = fhp->vnext;
+	}
+	fhp->vnext = NULL;
+	fhp->vprev = NULL;
+	fhp->vhead = NULL;
+	pvr2_channel_done(&fhp->channel);
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT,
+		   "Destroying pvr_v4l2_fh id=%p",fhp);
+	kfree(fhp);
+	if (vp->channel.mc_head->disconnect_flag && !vp->vfirst) {
+		pvr2_v4l2_destroy_no_lock(vp);
+	}
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -969,32 +966,30 @@
 	init_waitqueue_head(&fhp->wait_data);
 	fhp->dev_info = dip;
 
-	pvr2_context_enter(vp->channel.mc_head); do {
-		pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT,"Creating pvr_v4l2_fh id=%p",fhp);
-		pvr2_channel_init(&fhp->channel,vp->channel.mc_head);
+	pvr2_trace(PVR2_TRACE_STRUCT,"Creating pvr_v4l2_fh id=%p",fhp);
+	pvr2_channel_init(&fhp->channel,vp->channel.mc_head);
 
-		fhp->vnext = NULL;
-		fhp->vprev = vp->vlast;
-		if (vp->vlast) {
-			vp->vlast->vnext = fhp;
-		} else {
-			vp->vfirst = fhp;
-		}
-		vp->vlast = fhp;
-		fhp->vhead = vp;
+	fhp->vnext = NULL;
+	fhp->vprev = vp->vlast;
+	if (vp->vlast) {
+		vp->vlast->vnext = fhp;
+	} else {
+		vp->vfirst = fhp;
+	}
+	vp->vlast = fhp;
+	fhp->vhead = vp;
 
-		/* Opening the /dev/radioX device implies a mode switch.
-		   So execute that here.  Note that you can get the
-		   IDENTICAL effect merely by opening the normal video
-		   device and setting the input appropriately. */
-		if (dip->v4l_type == VFL_TYPE_RADIO) {
-			struct pvr2_ctrl *cp;
-			cp = pvr2_hdw_get_ctrl_by_id(hdw,PVR2_CID_INPUT);
-			pvr2_ctrl_get_value(cp,&fhp->prev_input_val);
-			pvr2_ctrl_set_value(cp,PVR2_CVAL_INPUT_RADIO);
-			pvr2_hdw_commit_ctl(hdw);
-		}
-	} while (0); pvr2_context_exit(vp->channel.mc_head);
+	/* Opening the /dev/radioX device implies a mode switch.
+	   So execute that here.  Note that you can get the
+	   IDENTICAL effect merely by opening the normal video
+	   device and setting the input appropriately. */
+	if (dip->v4l_type == VFL_TYPE_RADIO) {
+		struct pvr2_ctrl *cp;
+		cp = pvr2_hdw_get_ctrl_by_id(hdw,PVR2_CID_INPUT);
+		pvr2_ctrl_get_value(cp,&fhp->prev_input_val);
+		pvr2_ctrl_set_value(cp,PVR2_CVAL_INPUT_RADIO);
+		pvr2_hdw_commit_ctl(hdw);
+	}
 
 	fhp->file = file;
 	file->private_data = fhp;