First, make sure VMware isn't running, as it may have claimed a USB device as it's own.

Trick the installer application into thinking that it's actually running on Vista - right click on the file and choose Properties, then change it to Windows Vista SP1 in the Compatibility tab.

Use pnputil, a new tool in Vista and above that allows you to install a driver before the hardware has been plugged in. Get the .INF file (you may need to run the setup program first) then type "pnputil -i -a c:\path\name.inf" in an elevated command prompt.