DISABLING OPTICAL AUDIO OUT IN OS X

You know what, I've been a devout Apple fan for a VERY long time... but in the past 2 months my Macbook Pro has been falling apart and it is just out of warranty. It took me 2 days to install Leopard and get Boot Camp working... Whatever... this isn't a rant.. I need help with my digital audio out.

You would think Apple would have something as simple as a DEVICE MANAGER to disable particular hardware you're having problems with or don't want to use. But no, no such thing in OS X (are you kidding me)?

My digital audio out first was on all the time. I stuck a toothpick in there and fixed that... but guess what now? Whenever I plug in a pair of **** headphones, THE DIGITAL AUDIO COMES ON. NOTHING that I can do will fix it. I am constantly on business trips on trains, planes, etc.. and I NEED to be able to use my headphone jack.

This could be EASILY fixed by disabling the digital audio out, but of course Apple doesn't have an interface to easily disable/enable hardware.

I have about had it up to here with my Macbook Pro. I love the thing and it has been one of the greatest computers I ever had, but I'm about to give Apple the finger and go back to the PC world.

Someone please give me a fix for this because I am racking my brain, have a flight tomorrow, and as most of you can tell I am frustrated. <Edited by Moderator>

Thanks.