transferring files between computers (slightly different ?)

I want to transfer files from my PC (running Win ME) to my laptop via a USB connection. The problem though is that I don't have a monitor for the PC. Or is that a problem? Will the USB connection alone between the two computers allow me to navigate through my PC's hard drive and copy files? Or do you have to somehow activate that capability on the PC side? Because I don't have a monitor for the PC I won't be able to do much of anything with it after I turn it on. So I'm hoping that all I have to do is plug in the cable and have automatic access to the PC's hard drive. Will that work?