Can't autofocus Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens

Without any electronics the camera cannot recognize the lens. Set the exposure mode to "M" (Manual). You'll have to set both the aperture and shutter speed yourself.

You'll also get no exposure assistance from the camera's light meter. You can review the picture after taking one and/or use the histogram to tune the exposure.

The D5000 does not have a focus motor in the body, relying on the lens to have one. The old 70-300mm G lens does not have a focus motor, relying on the camera to have one. Thus, this combination will not autofocus.
The newer 70-300mm AF-S G lens, as well as the even newer 70-300mm VR AF-S lens, do have the autofocus motor and thus will autofocus on the D5000.

Hi, It wouldn't autofocus on the D5000 as the body doesn't have an auto focus motor in the body and since that lens is AF, not AF-S, it won't autofocus. It should autofocus on the D7000 though, how far away are you from the object you're trying to photograph?

Sorry, but the D40x lacks an autofocus motor, depending on the lens to have one. Nikon calls such lenses AF-S. This particular lens does not have such a motor, relying on the camera to have one. The only 50mm lens currently available with an autofocus motor is this one:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2180/AF-S-NIKKOR-50mm-f%252F1.4G.html

Earlier this week the Nikon web site listed a new 50mm F1.8 lens with an autofocus motor, but then it was removed. Hopefully they will officially announce this lens soon.

There is no such thing. You can see a full list of current Nikon lenses at
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Camera-Lenses/index.page

You can see a list of current and old Nikon autofocus lenses at
http://www.bythom.com/nikkordb.htm

You'll see that no 50mm Nikon lens has ever had VR.

Yes, they will work. As you pointed out, they will not autofocus, but everything else will work, most importantly the exposure metering.

Bear in mind that the D5000 sensor is smaller than a frame of 35mm film. The lenses will seem longer on the D5000, about the equivalent of 42-120mm and 105-450mm. This means that the shorter lens won't really be a wide-angle anymore, though the longer lens will now be a whopping telephoto.

Try sending it to PhotoTech Repair Service in NYC. They are Nikon authorized, and can do the repair under warranty if you still have it. Also if you join they're facebook page, they will give you a 10% discount.
Here is the facebook page link, it has everything you need to send it in.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/PhotoTech-Repair-Service-Inc/102527215194

What camera body? This lens doesn't have an internal focusing motor and thus will not autofocus on the D40/D40x/D60/D5000/D3000.

Hello,
The Nikon D90 works well with the Nikon AF 50mm lenses and most other brand Nikon fit AF lenses. If they are not AF you will lose autofocus and metering.
Do you know that on the D90 the lens becomes a 75mm but the aperture stays the same, so for instance the 50mm f/1.8 is a 75mm f/1.8.

The D5000 needs an AF-S lens to autofocus.
Nikon have not fitted the mechanical focus drive to the D5000.