Prevent Windows from installing driver automatically

[Michael]

How do I prevent Windows from automatically detect and install driver for a hardware?
I have a Motorola SM56 modem and I'm running on XP.
When I start Windows, it will install the driver but unfortunately the driver is not working - Windows prompts that there is an error and the device will not work properly.
I downloaded some drivers from the internet and wanted to try them, but every time I uninstall the driver installed by Windows, Windows will install the same driver again when I start the Windows.
Please help.
Thanks.

[Calum]

How about uninstalling the driver, then installing the one you downloaded straight away, without rebooting?

[Michael]

The second installation will prompt that a driver has been pre-installed then abort. Perhaps some files are not deleted during uninstallation until reboot.

[ale52]

Try rolling back the driver, then installing your driver of choice.

Alan <>< 

[Michael]

The system could not find a backed up driver.

I think there must be an option somewhere to enable/disable Windows from auto-detect and install new hardware...

[patio]

Top of the Page for your driver for XP.

Uninstall the old one in add/remove hardware. Double click the DLoad to install the new one and it should finish fine.

Try it first with the modem dis-connected to see if it prompts you to plug it in as it may contain a flash file for the hardware....

[Michael]

Alright, after a few trial & error here and there, I finally got the "driver installed successfully" message...but...after reboot, I got the "found new hardware" message again......and it loops again and again....

Is there any way I can manually remove all the driver files installed and go back to a clean one?

[Michael]

So, no solution.

I get another modem.

Case closed.