How do I get my digital pictures from my camera to my computer, keep getting error message...?

OK, first, I am not very technological. Hope I explain this right and don't sound TOO dumb...

I have a Pentax digital camera (7.1 megapixels...whatever that means). I have the cord from the camera to the laptop. When I go to 'get the pictures' with the HP Photosmart thing, it tells me to check the device, there was an error copying the pictures. Yes, the camera is on, and the little red light blinks and everything.

I have loaded pictures from the camera before, but it was on my old desktop that recently caught fire, and was replaced with this laptop. I know that it used to work, but why won't they load onto this computer.

I don't know what info is needed to help me with this, so here goes. I have an Acer laptop with Windows Vista on it.

Is there another way to copy my pictures to my computer? Is there a program on here, or what?

1.) Go to "Start Menu"
2.) Go to "Control Panel"
3.) Go to "Add Hardware"

This will search for any connected hardware to your computer like your camera.

Then if you want you can go do this.

1.) Go to "My Computer"
2.) If the Device is not showing "Right-Click" and go to "Refresh"
3.) Then Click on the Drive that has your pictures on it.

Also I just cought the whole part about the other laptop catching fire... lol The Camera was not attached to the computer that cought fire at any point correct?

I had this problem before, if it was not from a software or hardware, most likely is the card problem, (SD, CF...) What you could do is to take out the card from your camera and direct connect to any port of your computer or by a card reader, then try to copy all the contents into your computer, after copied (wish you are lucky the contents still can be withdraw from the card, if unable means the problem confirmed is the card misfunction) you can try to format that card (all the contents inside will be erased!)and see whether the card can be use back or not by taking few snap then transfer them by the camera as formally practice. If the answer is negative, maybe you could consider a new card or borrow from your friend and try the same method to identify that problem.