Can i charge an Olympus fe-4000 with a usb cable connected to my computer?

This camera does not charge via the USB cable, the cable is used to download the photos to the computer.
This camera uses a recharageable lithium battery and the battery needs to be removed and connected to an external battery charger to be charged.
You can download a user manual from this WEB site.
http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/manual/zoom/man_fe280_e.pdf

In a convoluted way. The FE-46 uses standard AA batteries. You may use either disposable alkaline or lithium batteries, or rechargeables. If you use rechargeables then you must charge them outside the camera. There are chargers that run from a computer USB port, and there are even AA batteries that plug into a USB port. However, you canNOT charge the batteries by connecting your camera to your computer.

Not every model of the cameras can charge the battery by USB cable. It seems you need a OLYMPUS Li-42B Battery Charger Or a USB power adapter You also can by a Li-42b battery and charger set to save another $2 Wish helpful for you

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 ).

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.

Is the computer or the camera telling you the battery is bad? If it's the computer, you might have some bad pins on the camera, or your usb cable may have a problem with it. If the camera is reporting this on it's screen, not sure what the problem is there. I would instead, just transfer the pictures to the computer via a card reader through the USB port. Check your printer- many printers these days have memory card slots on them, and you can transfer pics to the computer through them.

Forget the camera...use a card reader.

Very few cameras will charge through USB ports. This is only to connect to computer to access pictures. Your camera will not charge via USB. I suggest to many people that using cameras that take AA batteries is the best cameras to buy when traveling. Many camera owner fall victim to different voltage outlets when travelling.

https://emporium.olympus.com/innards/emp.asp?val100=100&step1=869&step2=0

Here is the link to the online Olympus store website where you can purchase a replacement USB cable

Usually the usb cable only provides the data signals to it. If you are using a 4 pin usb cable then the power isn't going to the cable and it won't charge it.