Re- installing the Nikon software would be my first suggestion.

when you have used your usb cable to plug your camera into the usb port on your pc in the past have you always clicked on the safely remove hardware icon down in the systray by the clock and waited till it told you it was safe to remove the item before disconnecting it?
Often times not properly removing usb connected items can cause problems

Have you tried plugging into a different usb port to see if possibly that one has a problem and have you tried a different usb cable?

I agree with zep that reloading the software may help too.

Thanks for the suggestions! Reinstalling Nikon did not help. And I do try to be very careful about the usb thingie when disconnecting. BUT I think the problem may be with our 14 year old granddaughter. She hooks up her Ipod every day and does just jerk it out when finished sometimes. 14 year olds don't have time for stuff like that, you know. Also, when inserting a CD or USB, when she got the question of what program she wanted to use, I'm sure she just randomly picked something and if the "use this same program every time", or something was asked, she probably said yes. Now, she has no clue what she did. Well, she may have outsmarted herself this time, as her Ipod won't work either.

I have never done a system restore and it scares me to think about it, but would this take care of this problem? Again, Thanks for all your help...Now and in the past.
Ida

A system restore is a simple process really. Remember though that anything added to your computer, good or bad, after the restore point you use will be lost.

Click Start
Click All programs
Slide up to Accessories
Slide over and down to System Tools
Click System Restore and follow along.

I would talk with my grand child, explaining the finer points of life and respect for the property of others. Either that or if she only comes occasionally then create a Restore Point just prior to her visit so you can restore if she messes your settings up.

Follow the example above if you wish to create restore points, you can name them anything you wish that will help you understand which restore you wish to use or why it was done. I created a restore point on Tuesday before allowing all those MS updates to be installed.

as Owbist said system restore is a very simple easy to do thing and is not to be scared of, nothing like reformatting at all it just takes your pc back to the date you choose and it is totally reversible if you see that it did not help just tell it to reverse it.

YOU must enforce these rules with her now or simply refuse to allow her access to YOUR pc. If she can not treat it properly she should not be using it. NOT removing a usb item using that properly remove icon can damage your pc badly and it can RUIN her dear precious ipod. So if she likes that ipod she had better learn now or she will be holding a doorstop one day instead of her ipod.

AND I would with out a doubt set her up a limited user account and allow her to ONLY use that account on the pc, set up all your admin accounts with passwords that she would not know so she could not gain access to them.

Did you try using other usb ports and a different cable?

How to Restore a Windows XP system to a previous State using System Restore
there is a guide for system restore with pictures so you can see how simple it is.

You both are absolutely correct! Need to start practicing some of that tuff love. She's a good kid w/ an A+ average and on the Beta Club roster for the past 3 years. She knows more about the computer than I ever will, but she's antsy and always in a hurry. My fault and I need to do better.

Back to the problem; After the dreaded update installation, I rebooted and my dialog box has reappeared! It lets me choose how to view my cds and what to do with my pictures from the MEMORY CARD only. Still doesn't recognize the usb connection from any slot. I tried all 3 on the front of the computer. I have 4 digital cameras w/ usb cords and none work. I may have to try this System Restore next time I come in to rest. Thanks for the instructions as to how to do this. And for the advice. I needed that! Ida

But why put up with the headaches of bad software in the first place? Please see the link, as it describes the use of a card reader as a much easier, faster, and less error prone way to download your photos:

Here is a link that might be useful: The easiest way to download your photos or videos.