My camera won't focus on manual, and won't take pictures on auto?

I have a nikon d40, when i set the switch on the Lens to auto focus, it will not even take pictures, and when it is on manuel the camera will not focus and the pictures are poor, i have tried to change the setting on the lcd screen under focus and i can, but the same thing keeps happening. Also, when its on auto focus, the flash comes on and it will take a picture if i press the "AE-L AF-L" button, but it will not focus!

Sounds like you are trying to take photos in a situation that is too dark for the auto focus system to work. If there's not enough light available, the auto focus system will not allow a photo to be taken. Also, if you switch the lens from auto to manual focus, YOU must focus the lens yourself… What do you think the word manual means?

Sounds like you need to take a beginner's photography class. If nothing else, at least read the owner's manual that came with your camera.