Here's how I load photos to my pc without using the camera software...
1. Attach camera to pc with usb
2. Right click on "start" ( bottom left of your screen), then left click on "explore" from the menu.
2. A new window will appear with a list of all the folders/programmes on your pc. Scroll down until you find your camera - mine shows as "Removable Disc (G:)", it will probably be something similar on your pc, the letter will depend on how many external devices you have attached to your pc. Left click on this and various folders will show in the box to the right of the folder menu - one of these will contain the photos on your camera, you might have to open various folders to find it. Once you've found it, open it and save to "pictures" as normal.
Sounds very complicated but it's quite simple really.