Nikon CoolPix P80 Transfer software does not activate.

Page 128 of the manual says:
Start the computer to which Nikon Transfer was installed.
So before you can transfer pictures to a computer you have to install software. If the software was not in the box with the camera, I'm sure you can get it for free with Nikon.
I use ViewNX2 from Nikon, and it was and still is free. You can transfer and manage the pictures on your PC. Just visit the Nikon website for the apropriate software to your camera.

ALTERNATE WAY TO TRANSFER PHOTOS TO COMPUTER
If your photos are stored on the memory card, then remove the memory card from the camera and insert it into an USB memory card reader. Connect this USB memory card reader and memory card into the USB port of your working computer. Your computer will see this as an USB Mass Storage Device or an external storage device; you can then open the folder on the memory card and copy the photos to your computer. Memory card reader is a handy device and is inexpensive. You can copy photos from other cameras and you can also download photos off your memory card to someone else's computer without the need of installing any programs.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use iPhoto or Nikon Transfer or any other photo cataloging program.

You can download the current versions of all (free) Nikon software from
http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61

You can download the manual from
http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14558

Nikon View was retired years ago. Nikon Transfer handles the transfer portion of it, and Nikon ViewNX2 handles the viewing/cataloging portion. You can download the current versions of all (free) Nikon software at
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61

You can do it through computer, using a memory card reader or there are many new laptops are with a inside memory card reader too, then you can transfer pictures from the camera memory and to the memory card.

Use a card reader instead of the camera.

I had the same problem with the same camera. What worked for my pc was to start the Nikon Transfer software, select the camera and press the "start transfer" button. Nothing happens for about 6-7 minutes, but after that the transfer starts.
My pc: XP SP3
Camera: Coolpix L100
Nikon Transfer: ver. 1.3.0 (i used the software that came with the camera not the up to date version 1.5.3, but it might work with that version also

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive. Or you can use Nikon Transfer. You can get the latest versions of Nikon's software from http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61

Oh, I had I this problem last week. My drivers were outdated and I used this software:

http://www.windowsdriverhelp.com/landing/driver/wdh/driver.php?key=nikon p80

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.


The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.


Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use Nikon Transfer or any other photo cataloging program.