I'm just starting to get in to pc gaming but i'm having trouble adapting to keyboard controls. does anybody know if there is a way i could use a controller for any of these games.Besides that i hope that this thread might help other peoples in position or other beginner problems.

For the DosBOX titles, it shouldn''t be a problem, as it recognizes joys and pads. The only barrier is the game itself, some may not use a joy/pad at all. For many of the other titles, i suggest You bite the bullet and get used to the mouse+keyboard, it's not as bad as many think. Enjoy!;)

You can try using this http://www.xpadder.com/, I am not sure if it works or not, but I could have sworn other people have mentioned using Xpadder for the likes of Psychonauts and such. By the way, what game are you playing that you want to use a controller?

You can also use a wired xbox 360 controller on the PC.

What style of game are you trying to play? While I agree some games such are better with a pad (mainly console ports mind you) FPS and RTS are by far better suited to mouse and keyboard.

I'm the fastest man alive, you may call me the scarlet speedster.
Agreed, that's why I asked what he was trying to play, I wouldn't imagine somebody playing Empire Earth with a controller. But I could totally see someone wanting a controller for Sands of Time, Psychonauts, or Advent Rising.

What games do you plan on playing because depending on the title I'd stick with the good ol' Mouse and Keyboard combo, especially for first person action titles such as the Half-Life and Call of Duty series puerly because it's a superior control interface that is far more rewarding once you persevere, same goes for strategy titles too with the mouse being a far more dynamic way of negotiating the game (such as 'Company of Heroes' or the 'Total War' series)
As has been said already, you can download drivers from the Microsoft website to allow an USB 360 pad to work within windows, you can also buy a wireless dongle to achieve the same connectivity with windows in conjunction with a wireless 360 pad.
If you could give an example of some of the games you intend on playing we could give you further advice, however, I really would try and persevere with the Mouse and Keyboard combo, you won't look back once you get used to the hotkey and precise mouse control the set up offers! :P

As others have stated, 360 controller + xpadder (where necessary) works a treat.
For FPS and strategy games though, I recommend you stick with mouse and keys and practice on some easier games. Sure, you'll suck at first, but it's worth mastering it as you'll wind up a lot more accurate than you could be on a controller (without auto-aim).

That's a good point FPS on consoles have some form of auto aim to assist the gamer as they are not as precise. If you try a FPS on the PC with a controller it is likely to be much more difficult.

If you play FPS or RTS games with a controller, it creates a sort of skill level ceiling where you just can't get any better, but people that are really good with mouse + keyboard have a higher ceiling. No matter how good you get with a controller, there will always be someone better with a mouse + keyboard. The mouse just allows for more sudden sweeping movements and short precise movements. When you need to point at something (as you do in FPS and RTS games), the mouse is the way to go.
Analog joysticks are better for 3rd person games though, because you often need analogue control for movement on one stick and analogue control of the camera on the other.
Arcade joysticks are best for fighters and shmups.
Flight sticks are best for flight simulators.
Racing wheels are usually best for racing.
It's all about having the right tool for the job.

The 360 Gamepad works, as others have suggested.
Also, Logitech makes some decent game controllers as well, although I think Logitech was promoting Gametap instead of GOG.

A lot of PC FPS games support auto aim, but it's a good idea to break the habit as it's little better than cheating your way through games. With keyboard and mouse at least you know when you hit something you hit it.

There are? I really can't think of any but then I'd probably be considered,'old school' with my taste in PC FPS's. Either way, it's best to get used to the M+K especially if you want to play PC shooters online, for a new player games like Counterstrike or Battlefield provide a hefty learning curve, especially so if you're new to PC gaming altogether!!!
I'd heartily recommend buying Unreal Tournament (either off of GoG would do) and then set the A.I opponents to dynamic so the difficulty scales with you as you imporve yourself at the game. You'll end up an ass kicking noob eater in no time. If you want to play FPS's that is... >_>

By the way, welcome to PC gaming. Enjoy your time with the keyboard and mouse, and don't let the doomsayers and their baseless remarks on the future of the PC as a gaming platform daunt you.