When the tablet is connected to the laptop via USB cord, go to "Start" and in the search type "Computer" (without the quotes of course) and from the list choose "Computer" only. In the window that pops up you should see your laptops drive, any partitioned part of the drive, and the tablet should be listed. Although it may not be listed by its actual name. It could say something else.
Double click on it and you should have access to the tablet itself.
If that doesn't work, try this...
1. After plugging in the tablet, go to "Control Panel" and then "Device Manager".
2. In "Device Manager" go to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers".
3. You should see listed the storage devices that you have connected to your laptop.
4. Right click on the device and then click "Uninstall".
5. Remove the tablet from the laptop and restart your system.
6. Once the computer restarts, reconnect your tablet. It should register now.