So I know how to load the APM kernel module at boot time, but how can I prevent a kernel module from loading at boot time?

I need to deactivate the "scanner" module in order to be able to use my scanner (it's using libusb). "modprobe -r scanner" works fine, but it would of course be a lot more convenient if it wouldn't even load at boot time. What line in which file do I need to (un)comment? Or can I just put the command "modprobe -r scanner" in my /etc/rc.d/rc.local?

I usually find answers to most of my questions via a forum or google search, but am somehow not able to find an answer to this one.. :-/

Check the config files in /boot. One of those is likely to be your grail...

config-(kernel)

The only config file in /boot is config-ide-2.4.22 ("config" is a symlink to this file)
The only line with "scanner" in it is:
Is this what you meant? Do I need to comment the scanner line or replace the "m" with something else?

Thanks.

Have a look at

/etc/hotplug/blacklist

Might be what you're after.