I have used other programs for digital scrapping, but want to learn "the" program!

I have a new computer that is a pc and running vista.  i am having a hard time with PSE 4 and am wondering if it is me.....or PSE 4 with vista.  I can't pull up stuff from the tray below...under the big screen.  I always have to go to place..and pull it from the file.  Is this normal??????

I was so frustrated, and finally went over to watch a friend use PSE 5.  She just dragged it up to the page. 

 Anyone else have vista????  I'm wondering if I need to get a newer version of PSE or if I need to get rid of vista.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

deb