Steam, or platforms like it, are the future if not already the present of game distribution on the PC. I can't really state why you've had problems installing Steam as I have done it on three of my PCs, but I will say that the installation of games purchased through Steam is almost seamless. On Windows, it means you punch in your password for UAC and let it run. Steam's primary use isn't installing games purchased on disc - it's a marketplace and a community that will hold purchase history in the cloud for easy downloading.