So according to the manual and the website for this camera [an i534 by Polaroid] I have to put the software onto my computer.That wouldn't be a big deal except for the fact I've uploaded onto the computer before without installing the software.It's plugged in correctly, so what's going on?

its just the company provided a software.. i dont see a reason either. most digital cams come with a software but u can upload it in ya xp or vista pc without installing them .

got to my computer, find the camera drive usually named camera or the model number of the cameradouble click the icon with the name of the camera underneathkeep opening the folders until you find you pictures,then click edit on the tool bar, click select all from the menuright click one of the pictures which should all be highlighted then click look for copy now open you pictures folderright click look for paste in the menuthen its done the pics will copy acrossit sound hard but its easy