Do the hours that you fly before you acrually get your PPL count for anything? I am guessing they count for total time. Also in my log book it has PIC/SOLO at the top of one column. If I don't have my PPL yet and am by myself does that still count as PIC time? I am hoping to have my ticket at 45 hours and just wondering if that time will mean anything in the grand scheme of things.

Thanks

While you're a student pilot you will only log EITHER dual received OR PIC time. You can't log both on the same flight. You'll log PIC time when you are the SOLE occupant of the aircraft, and since you can't carry passengers if you're not the sole occupant at least one of the other occupants will be your instructor. When you log dual received time then your instructor will, at a minimum, need to sign your logbook. Most instructors will add information on the lesson(s) taught during the flight.
And to answer you question...yes all the hours you are logging are counting toward your training. You will have certain dual and solo requirements prior to being eligable for your checkride.

Also once you get your private you will be able to log dual received AND PIC at the same time in those situations where you are rated in the airplane and are getting dual for an advanced rating.