Is the camera turned on when you connect the USB cable, GG? (nothing wrong with doing that)
Or alternatively, just connect the USB to the PC then fire up the camera! The pics should appear as a box which asks you to save, view files etc. I tend to view the files by date, then drag them across to a folder on the desk top. They can be edited in Picasa from there (or any other prog you use).
Should work...