First off your buddy doesn't sound anymore comuter literate than you, because the issue here is that the driver/software for your printers need to match your operating system. In this case because you bought a computer with a 64-bit operating system, as opposed to the more common 32-bit operating system, you need to update your drivers to 64-bit versions. You need to go to Dell's and HP's websites, click on support and locate and download the Windows Vista 64-bit version software for your printers. If your prnters are old enough there is a chance that HP or Dell will not update the printers to work with 64-bit operating systems (regardless of whether it is WIndows, Apple, or Linux, etc.). although 32-bit operating are still more common than 64-bit, the industry is moving towards 64-bit operatings systems, and in general these 64-bit operating will work fine with 85% to 90% of the 32-bit software out, less so for 16-bit software (expecially games). However the biggest issue are drivers, and for computer equipment such a printers, video cards, sound cards, etc. that require drivers to be installed you will need to update these drivers. If you have older equipment (and in computer time that's probably greater than 3 years old) it will be iffy whether the manufacturer will spend the time and money to develop new drivers when they can sell you a new piece of equipment.