Reasonable on 24 May 2012
Sounds like you (and your buddies) have somehow messed up your PC setups. Consoles are for sure easier - but your issues are definitely atypical. Most PC games install without fuss or issues - Steam in particular of course tends to be a breeze. The gap between console and PC (particularly PS3/360) is really not that great now for ease - all three being home to patches, updates and the ability to get yourself out of sync with what the game wants and what you have installed.
TBH it sounds like you're in the unlucky minority - someone's got to be a guess!
Try to be reasonable... its easier than you think...
