COcz, the computer knows when the Nook is plugged in, it is just reading it incorrectly.
Brass, the Nook help people suggested I reset the Nook, but then I'll have to re-download everything I have on it and re-register it with the Nook site.

The issue is that the first time you plug in the Nook, you click on it and there is only one file, a link that leads you to the site to download the set-up file. The problem was that the one it downloaded (automatically) was the set-up file for Mac. My computer can't read it, and I have no options to choose the right one.
Looks like I have Windows 7, 64-bit. I think the laptop is Windows 7, 32-bit, but not entirely sure. I may try the recovery point.

Thanks for the tips.