Nikon d300 won't take pictures

charge it 1st then see what happens

Try resetting the camera by removing the battery for 15 mins, replace the fully charged battery, go to the Menu setting and set the Date and Time.
If it still does not work then - this camera needs to be sent away for repairs. Just like a motor vehicle, some repairs to your camera require a technical specialist to fix your problem.

That is one possibility. Try using a different memory card, or clear out the one you're using.

Does the menu show when you press the MENU button? Can you see your pictures when you press the Playback button (right-pointing triangle)? If so, then there's nothing to fix.
The D40 works as SLRs have worked for half a century. There's a viewfinder which allows you to frame and compose your picture. The LCD monitor is for menus, camera settings, and picture review. LiveView, which allows you to use the monitor for shooting, is a recent development, which Nikon introduced into their cameras with the D3 and D300, both introduced years after the D40.

You don't. Nikon introduced the LiveView feature with the D3 and D300, introduced years after the D40. The rear screen shows you the menus, shooting information, and picture review, but cannot be used to compose your pictures.

Sorry if that wasn't the answer you wanted to see, but that's the way it is.

The D60 won't save pictures anywhere other than the memory card. If you can playback your pictures by pressing the playback button (marked with a right-pointing triangle), then they are saved on the card.

The display on the back is for the menus, reviewing pictures already taken, and shooting information. The D60 works as SLRs have worked for half a century: you use the viewfinder to compose your picture. The LiveView feature is a recent development in digital SLRs. Nikon introduced it into their cameras with the D3 and D300. The D60 is designed as an introductory model and lacks this feature. Sorry if that wasn't the answer you wanted to see, but there it is.

r09 is just the camera estimate od how many shots you have left on your memory card. For the other, Use fully charged battery , Turm ca,era on and re,ove battery while at same time holding shutter for a[[rox 3- seconds. Re[lace battery, then turn camera off.on. If that does not do it, turn camera on and press reset button on bottom of camera (page 200, I believe, in tghe users manual

To change to raw - push menu, then settings - image quality - select Raw - push ok. You're done. Raw ignores many of the other image settings, such as WB, Picture mode (Vivid, etc..); It does however pay attention to exposure compensation.

I have had "dark pictures" from each of my Nikon DSLR (D70, D80, D200, D300) cameras usually when taking pictures from a tripod and/or the self timer. Situations where you take your eye away from the viewfinder which allows stray light to enter thru the viewfinder and throw the auto exposure way off. Not sure if this is what is happening to you.

Im not trying to sound degrading, but isnt there a little button on the bottom right of the display that turns it on or off? I know there is on the D70 and D80, Ive never actually used a D300 myself, bu tI just thought maybe thay had a common trait.

Other than that, can you still use the rest of the camera, like taking pictures and whatnot?