Nikon Lens Error - fEE on 80-400mm VR with Nikon D7000?

I have a Nikon D7000 and recently purchased an AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1:4.5-5.6D lens. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get the lens to work with the camera. The camera flashes the fEE error, which in previous experience with other lenses and cameras was solved by making sure the lens was set to the smallest aperture and locked, which I've done. I've even "run through" the range of apertures before locking.

I know that the camera works with two other lenses I've got.

I plan to travel internationally with my camera and lenses in just a few days, so if you have multiple ideas, I'd love to hear them all. I'm stressing out about not having enough time to continue researching my problem, especially since I live a great distance from any cities with camera shops and have to consider the holiday weekend.

Thanks for your help.

Added (1). The Nikon D7000 even on manual setting gives the error.

I just tried the lens on an older camera (Nikon D100), and it seems to work, although the D100 won't power the autofocus on the lens.So, I'm not sure if it's the lens (which works on one camera but not the other) or if it's the camera (which works with 2 other lenses but not this one).

The fEE error is the "aperture not locked" error.

If you have locked the aperture and still have the problem, then the lens is probably busted. You can still use it on manual though. Put the camera on Manual mode, then adjust the exposure via the camera's meter.

If you find you can't adjust the lens aperture via the dial on the camera body, then that might be another indication if the aperture ring is busted on the lens.

It's clearly a lens issue.

Brand new lens? Return to the store at once and demand for an exchange.

Old secondhand lens? Now you know why it was on sale.

You need for the aperture ring to be set to its highest f number, which I think is 32 for this lens. That tells it to work with the electronic connection with the camera. The aperture ring is there mainly for use with older cameras that lack an electronic control, or for use with adapters to other mounts that lose electronic communication.

If your aperture ring is set to f32 and it is still doing this, then it could be a defective unit.
If the aperture ring is not set to f32, then the error you see is what is expected. Manual mode or not, the camera is detecting that the electronic connection is there, and it therefore wants that aperture ring in the right position to work with the electronic connection.