Computer isn't recognising my iPhone

When i plug my iphone 4 (which i've just got) into my computer, my iphone makes a noise and starts charging. However nothing happens on the computer! There are no noises, nothing pops up. When i click on my computer, there's nothing there, and on my devices when i click' search for devices' nothing is found even though my iphone is plugged in.

feels like i've tried everything, i've got rid of itunes and reinstalled the latest version, i've restarted my iphone and computer many times, i've unplugged my iphone and tried both different usb ports!

Can anyone help me!

Added (1). The thing is Julia, surely it must be working correctly if my iphones charging? :/

Did you check the cable works correctly?

I think IPhones in general need specific software which allows them to be used via computer(unless you're using a mac) so try google searching such software, I'm sure you'll get some download links.

Is it the computer that is not recognizing the phone or is it iTunes? This http://support.apple.com/.../kb/TS1538 will provide support if it is iTunes that is not recognizing the phone, This document http://support.apple.com/.../kb/TS1495 may help as well. The last solution is to uninstall iTunes by these support documents http://support.apple.com/.../kb/HT1925 for XP and http://support.apple.com/.../kb/HT1923 for Vista and Windows 7.