I have never seen this happen. I have installed Windows (2000 and XP) on dozens of PCs. Several of them had hardware that Windows didn't recognize. It called these items "Unkown devices" and wanted drivers. Perhaps if you were more specific and told us what hardware you are having trouble with, we could help better. Another solution would be to remove the offending hardware and install Windows first, then install the hardware.
More often than not, I see windows install software for hardware that it knows absolutely nothing about. I know it's a way for micro(monopoly)soft to make more money.
I don't like everything Microsoft does, I'll grant you that. However, how is your problem related to this? Is Windows not recognizing your esoteric TV tuner card, installing the wrong drivers, not letting you install the right drivers, and then saying "You must by a Microsoft TV tuner card"? This is not necessarily Microsoft's fault. And, even if it is the fault of Microsoft/Windows, I hardly see how installing bad drivers is a way for Microsoft to "make more money".
\Dan