Can see NEF pics on camera but cannot transfer images

ALTERNATE WAY TO TRANSFER PHOTOS TO COMPUTER
If your photos are stored on the memory card, then removethe 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 yourworking computer. Your computer will see this as an USB Mass Storage Device oran external storage device; you can then open the folder on the memory card andcopy the photos to your computer.Memory card reader is a handy device and is inexpensive. Youcan copy photos from other cameras and you can also download photos off yourmemory card to someone else's computer without the need of installing anyprograms.

Seems it accidentally deleted or somewhat, by the way did you try checking the content of the camera using a computer to check if that picture is really not present on the camera's memory if its reallt not there, better try looking for a data recovery software on the internet that will help you recover any picture that was acccidentally deleted.

hope that helps.........

PictureProject was retired quite some time ago, replaced by Nikon Transfer and Nikon ViewNX. Nikon Transfer handles the importing of pictures from a camera or memory card, while ViewNX handles the organizing and cataloging. You can download the current versions of all (free) Nikon software from
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61

The Nikon D80 does not have any internal memory.

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.

There are also plenty of photo catalog software packages out there, some free, some not, that can transfer and catalog your pictures so you can quickly find pictures from Susie's birthday party, for example. Just do a google search for "photo catalog software".

You can download the current versions of Nikon software, including Nikon Transfer and Nikon ViewNX from http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61 . Nikon Transfer is used to transfer pics from the camera to the computer, either through the USB link or via a card reader. Nikon ViewNX can be used to catalog your pictures.

If you can get the pics using a card reader, why are you insisting on using the camera and USB cord? Pros always use a card reader.

This link may be of service.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/d80/discuss/72157622686985897/
From a glance, it looks like the message is trying to tell you that you are shooting and storing the images on the internal buffer, not on a memory card. I'd removed and re-set your CF/SD card and maybe even try another card if possible.
A last resort may be to attach the camera to a computer and see if the images will be stored on the computer when you shoot. I used to do this with a D100 at work, but couldn't tell you how...a search would probably tell you how...use 'tether' and your camera model.
Good luck!

Use the supplied "thing," connect the camera to the computer, and transfer the pictures. You can use Nikon Transfer, or just drag&drop.

You'll need to use photo-editing software to do stuff to the pics.

I took the pic off the camera and onto a photo editor software package.