My Nikon D3100 is having issues with taking pictures?

It will only take pictures if it is zoomed all the way out and the focus isn't close. It makes a sound that's hard to explain. It sounds like. VHS tapes rewinding. It squeaks almost. This is my first SLR camera and I'm sorry if this is a stupid question that I should be able to fix. Is this some sort of setting that I screwed up? If I can't fix it, it is going back to Best Buy so they can. Any help is appreciated.

Added (1). The object is across the room. 7-8 feet.

Added (2). It won't focus or take a picture when it is zoomed in all the way. I have only had it for 2 months. And when I got it, it worked perfectly fine. Which is the reason I think that it's not me. I'm still learning though. And I'm trying. This is all just really confusing to me.

How close are you to the object? If it's not focusing unless you're zoomed out you may be too close for the lens. The problem sounds like a lens problem though not the camera.

Set the camera to A mode, ISO to Auto, EV to zero and White Balance to Auto. Set AF on. Try taking a picture of a brightly colored parked car under the bright sun. If that comes out okay, you probably don't understand the basic principles of photography yet.

http://www.illustratedphotography.com/basic-photography

If the camera fails to get a decent picture of the brightly colored car despite all the right settings, quickly return it to the store and ask for a replacement. Do not forget to bring the original sales receipt.

What lens are you using? Did you know that different lenses have different minimum focusing distances?

I can't quite figure out from your description what is going on, what exactly it is or isn't doing. However, chances are the camera is 100% fine.

I would strongly suggest that you read the manual… Front to back, several times. Practice, start again.
Read a few books on photography, too. It is extremely likely that you just don't know what you're doing yet.

Another question: does it do this no matter WHAT you take a photo of? I.e. Does it happen only in low light or when taking a photo with little contrast, such as a wall or a very calm ocean? Or does it happen in good light with a contrasty subject, too?