When i plug the usb cord from the computer to the camera the camera does not show up on the computer so i can not upload my pictures?

Not knowing what model camera you have. (You know off course) I only can guess.
When you are referring to the USB cable, most Nikon cameras (lots of other brands too) need the normal USB mini-B plug, to connect the camera to the computer or a charger.
If the cable does not go in the camera, you probably have a micro-B plug. You can verify this on wikipeda, because they not only explain USB, they also show pictures of the different plugs.

You need the cord that came w/ the camera. Plug the tiny end into your camera and plug the USB end into your running laptop. Your operating system should show a pop up asking what you want to do; select transfer pictures from camera to computer. This will bring up an explorer window showing the camera as a drive on your computer. Just transfer files were you want to on your computer.

IF you have plug-n-play capabilities, you also need a USB cord that goes from the camera to the computer - Many have USB ports on the front, now.

1) Plug the USB cord into the computer.
2) Plug the USB cord into the camera.
3) Turn the camera on (some cameras have a setting they need to be on to transfer pics - make sure you're set on that)
4) The computer should find the appropriate drivers and programs to read the pictures on the camera.
4a) If having them on the computer is enough for you, make sure the "delete when transfer complete" box that will be in most programs.
4b) Make sure the pix will download to the folder you want them two.
4c) if you want to make an album/folder for the set of pix from the camera, do so now (program prompts should show you how. If not, hit "HELP") - I usually just use the date in reverse - Feb 20, 2008 would be "20080208" - keeps 'em sorted in order.
5) Click GO, SUBMIT, TRANSFRER, or whatever your program calls it.
6) Turn off camera when all are downloaded.

The program should probably open the folder into which you downloaded the pictures.

I may have missed a step or two, but it should be fairly easy to figure out. You can leave the USB port cable plugged in, if you have enough ports, then all you need to do is connect your camera and turn it on.


thanks.

Try 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 any photo cataloging program, such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

All cameras do this. As soon as you plug in the cord, the display will turn black. It is completely normal.
If the pictures aren't showing up on computer, make sure the latest drivers are downloaded for your camera. Also you can use, picture transfer or kodak easy share program to download.
Another way is to go to 'my computer" than either f: or g: drive should have your camera on it. You can access pictures here and drag n drop into another file.

do you have a cable that plugs into your camera and usb plug on the other end?....if not...you will need one. when you plug the cord in properly....make sure your camera is on and set to the 'show images' mode....not the 'take picture'' mode..(the slide switch just above the menu button...must be down..)
It should show up on your computer in 'my computer' if you have the software installed.

The USB cord is plugged into your charger. It is the same cord. Just unplug it out of the plug that goes into the wall and plug it into your computer. I know, I have the same camera and found it by mistake. No where in the directions does it tell you to take the cord from the charger. Try this and let me know if this works. Mine came right out of the plug that goes into the wall.

Try this,

Before plugging into USB cord go into menu on the camera. Then scroll down to setup press, then scroll down to USB mode. Press OKAY, then click on PTP and OKAY button. Now exit out by pressing menu button until back to the LIVE CAMERA phase.

Now plug in USB, CONNECT TO COMPUTER & should read PROCESSING...
Wait a few minutes (camera is very slow). Watch computer screen as a small bos should pop up which reads

AUTO PLAY now scroll down to
DEVICE OPTIONS - IMPORT PICTURES USING WINDOWS
Click on this

Now photo's should start downloading

You charge it by plugging into the usb plug on the camera. When you purchased the camera there should have been 2 cords that came with it. A usb plug to your computer, and a usb plug to plug into an outlet. Both will charge your battery. You should be able to purchase a usb to computer cord at a Circut City or other electronics store. Just make sure you take the camera to the store with you. To make sure you get the correct cord.