My Canon PowerShot SD1000 shoots completely black pictures. The lens is open and there is no damage to the lens or the screen. The battery is fully charged and I've even tried a different memory card. It reads pictures previously taken, but takes only completely black images.

It's very likely the CCD sensor that needs to be replaced. If you need to have it serviced, this place is excellent for the Powershots and not much at all if you need to have one fixed: www.camerasandparts.com
Before having it fixed, press the DISP button first and make sure you just didn't turn the display off. If you end up needing service for the Canon, that place above is really great for these cameras.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.
By the way, my wife happens to own a SD1000. Great little camera, but it's prone to stuck shutter every once and a while. Easily fixed each time though by simply opening the battery door while on, and gently flicking the lens barrel a few times. Again, see the link.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help:

Sounds like you may not be in "Auto" mode. Press the "Func/Set" button, then press Right or Left to select the "Auto" mode.

Turn off the Camera, remove the Battery pack, then press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.

Reinsert the Battery, then buzz around the lens for a few times then check if it works. Make sure that the Battery is fully charged.

The error message indicates that the lens is not able to adjust itself.

Nonononooooo fotomohamed, he can review just taken pictures on the LCD. The screen is working.

Actually, it sounds like you just accidentally pressed the DISPLAY button on the back of your camera. This manually turns the screen on and off in picture taking mode to save batteries (you would then use optical viewfinder). Just press it once and it should turn back on.

try taking the batteries and memory card out let it set and put everything back in it ang cut it on

Hopefully you resolved this already. If not, push the "DISP." button left of the MENU button. Pushing it gives you three options: black (for discreet shooting so your LCD doesn't give garner dirty looks from fellow concert goers), liveview, and liveview with info overlayed (shooting mode, ISO, etc.). Good luck!

Have you tried using a different set of batteries ?