Disable Automatic Hardware detection

I've had enough of XP thinking it knows better than I do
what the device is I'm trying to install. Currently, it's
telling my CD RW is only a CD-Rom drive! Even when I
point it to the device drivers on the supplied
istallation disc, it tells me there's no valid driver
files for my hardware.

I spent hours installing my modem. How do I disable this
irritating nuisance once and for all. Cheers!