Camera displays Not formated on screen when turned on

Here are some steps to run through to make sure the camera works as you'd expect it:

1. Ensure that all cables are properly secured from the computer to the camera.
   
2. Ensure that the memory card has not been dislodged from the camera.
   
3. Check the camera's memory socket and the memory card for debris. A can of 'compressed air' can work wonders (typically available at any computer store).
   
4. Make certain that the port connecting the camera to the computer is not damaged. Look for any bent pins in the camera's memory slot. Try replacing the camera cable. If the camera uses a USB port, try another USB port. If you don't have another USB port available, try plugging in another USB device to verify that the USB port is working.
   
5. Check the power source on the camera. If you're using batteries while attempting to transfer the pictures to the PC, try changing your batteries, recharge the batteries, or use an A/C adapter.
   
6. Try reinstalling the digital camera software on your computer. In most cases, reinstalling over top of the existing software will resolve this issue.
   
7. Take the media out of the digital camera and attempt to download it to another computer. If all else fails, try formatting the camera media. Most newer-generation digital cameras equipped with an LCD screen have a menu option that can format your media.

Hope this helps.

Consider NOT connecting the camera to the 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. Or you can use any photo cataloging program.

Try connecting the cable to the Coolpix and then turn on the camera before plugging the USB cable into the computer.
Another way to transfer photos to the computer.
Remove the memory card from the Coolpix and insert the memory card into a USB memory card reader then connect it to the USB port on the computer. The computer will see this as an external storage device, you can then open the folder/s and copy the photos from the memory card to the computer.

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.

Hi,

This is a common error. You can only try to Format the Card. Once format, i believe this would fix the issue.

Also, try to use Camera without Card.

Unless, You need to send it for repair.

Note - Make sure batteries are all set.

Thanks.

The Nikon Coolpix 4300 only supports the FAT16 filesystem, so it can only support a 2GB partition. To support 4GB you need a FAT32 filesystem.
Put the card in a CF writer and attached to a PC or Mac. Partition 2x2GB partitions, then format them as FAT16. Now put it into the Coolpix 4300 and it should work.

There exists a good, if not better alternative way to download your photos. Please don't take the following as a sales pitch as it's not, but please see the following blog article, as it describes the use of an inexpensive card reader as a much easier, faster, and less error prone way to download your photos. In fact there are several important reasons discussed in the article for using a card reader vice downloading from the camera. USB Card readers are also very inexpensive these day, with cost virtually not an issue:
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-do-i-download-photos-or-pictures.html

I suggest you to remove the card from the camera and use a memory card reader to transfer the pictures to the computer. Note that the memory card should be formatted in the camera. Once the pictures are transferred you can reinsert the memory card to the camera and then format it in the camera.

Try another card. The card can have a life limit, after all it is flash memory.
Also try to use the card in a card reader, not the camera. If that works, and you can save your pics... (remember never try to delete or change any of the pics. on the card from the computer, a lot better chance of corrupting the files...that may be due to the fact that the camera and the computer can be seeing different ways of making folders and reading them...just mention that because I had it happen... always format and delete all pics in only the camera you use that card in.)
If you are successful to transfer your pictures, then format the card in the camera, and see if it will work.
The final on this is that if the card will not format, and will not save pictures, then it is finished. You can try to use it in another kind of camera, sometimes that may work as well.

You can download PictureProject software from this address: http://chsv-soft.nikon-image.com/jpn/software/win/S-P2____-175WU-JPNJP.exe

That is the only Nikon software that supports Vista since your camera is "outdated".

Here is a quote from Nikon site:

• We had released a Windows Vista-compatible version of PictureProject, v1.7.5, for use with the models listed below, and all models that followed. PTP (models supporting the PTP protocol) and Mass storage USB transfer options can be used for camera connection. However, the camera's transfer button can not be used to transfer pictures over a PTP connection. Set the USB transfer option to Mass storage to enable the camera's transfer button.
  Currently, the new Nikon Transfer and View NX will replace Picture Project as our new Image Transfer and Browser applications. These applications support the same Nikon products as Picture Project.

COOLPIX P4, COOLPIX P3, COOLPIX P2, COOLPIX P1,COOLPIX S10, COOLPIX S9, COOLPIX S8, COOLPIX S7c, COOLPIX S7, COOLPIX S6, COOLPIX S5, COOLPIX S4, COOLPIX S3, COOLPIX S2, COOLPIX S1,COOLPIX L6, COOLPIX L5, COOLPIX L4, COOLPIX L3, COOLPIX L2, COOLPIX L1/L101,COOLPIX SQ, COOLPIX 8800, COOLPIX 8700, COOLPIX 8400, COOLPIX 7900, COOLPIX 7600,COOLPIX 5900, COOLPIX 5700, COOLPIX 5600, COOLPIX 5400, COOLPIX 5200, (COOLPIX 5100), COOLPIX 5000, COOLPIX 4800, (COOLPIX 4600), COOLPIX 4500, COOLPIX 4300, COOLPIX 4200, COOLPIX 4100, COOLPIX 3700, COOLPIX 3500, COOLPIX 3200, COOLPIX 3100, COOLPIX 2500, COOLPIX 2200, COOLPIX 2100, COOLPIX 2000,COOLPIX 995, COOLPIX 885, COOLPIX 775.We do not plan to offer compatibility for COOLPIX 990 OR COOLPIX 880 connection to a computer with Windows Vista preinstalled. Use a card reader or card slot to transfer images.