This "feature" was part of the new autodesk era, and is found in 3ds max...
In the modelling menu set go to Polygons and untick Interactive Creation, also repeat this for NURBS (Surfaces in the menu, if I remember correctly).
Enjoy
Chris (formerly R@nSiD)
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Winner SM VFX Challenge 1
3rd Place SM SteamPunk Challenge (May 2007)