Does not turn on

I wonder what batteries you use? The best would be two AA rechargeable NiMH batteries. But a new CR-V3 lithium battery should work also.
When you have rechargeable batteries, you should check if they are charged. And when inserting, check if you did out them in correct. Only the CR-V3 is protected for inserting it wrong. when you have two batteries, you can put them in the wrong way. Then, if you did not use the camera for a long time, please make sure all contacts in the battery compartment are clean and shiny. If not, try to clean them, with a clean cloth. Never use anything sharp in or close to a camera. Contacts, could be rubbed with a little electronic contact oil, but the oil must be removed afterwards. As strange as it may sound, even the contact oil can be cause of oxidation on contacts.
When the batteries are in, make sure the battery door is correctly closed.
If you checked everything and you are sure the batteries are in correct, just try switching on and of several times, by opening and closing the lens barrier. Also while the lens barrios is closed, press the play back button on the back side of the camera. If both don't work, then again the batteries are under suspicion.

Check and make sure the battery contacts in the camera are not corroded, if so carefully clean them.

It looks like your question was cut short... all I see is "Battery indicator reads empty when batteries are..."

With my experience with the Pentax *ist DL, I think the problem is probably that brand new batteries still show "empty" on the indicator.

Chances are that you are not using the CR-V3 camera batteries in your *ist DL. I have tried 2400mAh NiMH rechargable batteries and brand new alkaline batteries in an attempt to save money.

Neither lasted anywhere near as long as the CR-V3 batteries! While you may be paying $15-$20 for two CR-V3 batteries, they last a LONG time!

One of the advantages of DSLRs (and digital cameras in general) is that you save money by no longer buying film and paying for developing/prints. But, even at $20 for two CR-V3 batteries, I save money! I am able to take several hundred photos on a pair of batteries (I think the manual says 500+) instead of $10-$15 ($2-$7 for film + $8 dev/print) for every 24-36 photos!

Chances are that you are not using CR-V3 camera batteries in your *ist DL. I have tried 2400mAh NiMH rechargable batteries and brand new alkaline batteries in an attempt to save money.

Neither lasted anywhere near as long as the CR-V3 batteries!

While you may be paying $15-$20 for two CR-V3 batteries, they last a LONG time!

One of the advantages of DSLRs (and digital cameras in general) is that you save money by no longer buying film and paying for developing/prints. But, even at $20 for two CR-V3 batteries, I save money! I am able to take several hundred photos on a pair of batteries (I think the manual says 500 ) instead of $10-$15 ($2-$7 for film $8 dev/print) for every 24-36 photos!

There is a menu item on the camera to select what kind of battery (Li-Ion, NMh, or Alkaline) is being used. I strongly recommend the use of a rechargeable cr-v3 battery in this camera. There is also a reset function for the battery indicator.

This is a common problem...sometimes you have to turn it on a couple of times.

You didn't say what type of batteries you are using. Best are CR-V3 lithium which should give 500 shots. 2300 mAh Ni-MH rechargeable batteries should give 200 shots. Worst are alkalines which Olympus do not recommend.
Have you checked the contacts in the bottom of the battery chamber for cleanliness?

I have read in Forums that FL-50 will not work with RECHARGABLE CR-V3s

The Coolpix 2200 / 3200 camera is designed to use 2 (two) AA type batteries. Due to Nikon’s advanced power management technology, two standard AA Alkaline batteries can provide more than 100 photographs. For better performance, please consider using Nikon EN-MH1 rechargeable batteries. These are available as an optional accessory at Nikon dealers and at The Nikon Mall Recently a new type of battery, the CR-V3, has been released to the market from several battery venders. The CR-V3 is similar in shape to two connected AA batteries and easily fits in your Coolpix camera compartment. Nikon has confirmed compatibility only with the following battery brands. Please use one of the following brands when using CR-V3 type batteries. Duracell Sanyo Panasonic Due to it’s unique design the Eveready Energizer® brand CR-V3 battery may not be compatible with the Coolpix 2200/3200 camera.

The Coolpix 2200 / 3200 camera is designed to use 2 (two) AA type batteries. Due to Nikon’s advanced power management technology, two standard AA Alkaline batteries can provide more than 100 photographs. For better performance, please consider using Nikon EN-MH1 rechargeable batteries. These are available as an optional accessory at Nikon dealers and at The Nikon Mall Recently a new type of battery, the CR-V3, has been released to the market from several battery venders. The CR-V3 is similar in shape to two connected AA batteries and easily fits in your Coolpix camera compartment. Nikon has confirmed compatibility only with the following battery brands. Please use one of the following brands when using CR-V3 type batteries. Duracell Sanyo Panasonic Due to it’s unique design the Eveready Energizer® brand CR-V3 battery may not be compatible with the Coolpix 2200/3200 camera.