In my opinion the best powerlifting routine you can get into without a trainer would be to pick up the westside book, although it is much more of an advanced and hands on approach than some of the more simplified program approaches. I think for starting out a 5/3/1 program would be better than a 5x5 program.
Yeah one thing I have learned is one thing may not work for me now but it don't mean it won't later down the road and that different things work at different times for people and it's why there is no solid set one way to do all.
There is only 1 thing that never changes and it's the only proven thing to worked from day 1 and that is EAT, LIFT, EAT, REST, EAT, LIFT and etc.
Everyone notice I say eat most, it's because this is what your going to do the most EAT. You will eat and rest more then you'll train.