The Arduino "drivers" are just a simple INF file. Encountering a large amount of issues is atypical and usually related to some conflict on the PC itself.
DavidFMarks:
I tried to install MS Framework 4.0
What is that?
DavidFMarks:
all the PIC stuff has worked first time. All very disappointing.
Every Arduino board I have used worked the first time I plugged it into whatever computer I plugged it into. One experience (yours or mine) does not represent the whole.
Just to verify, where did you buy your boards from?