Nikon VR lens 18-55mm do not focus on auto

go into settings an change the lighting

You did not say which lens or lenses you are using, but most auto-focus lenses have a switch for selecting manual or auto-focus. First, check your camera's menu settings to make sure auto-focus is enabled and then your lens to make sure you did not accidently leave it in the manual focus position? If it is in the auto-focus position and still not taking sharp pictures, switch it to manual and see if you can get it to focus correctly. It is also possible that your auto-focus alignment is out because your camera was bumped, jolted or dropped. If realignment is necessary, you can send the camera and lens to Nikon for repair or find a knowledgeable camera repairman.

The D5000 does not have a focus motor in the body, relying on the lens to have one. The old 70-300mm G lens does not have a focus motor, relying on the camera to have one. Thus, this combination will not autofocus.
The newer 70-300mm AF-S G lens, as well as the even newer 70-300mm VR AF-S lens, do have the autofocus motor and thus will autofocus on the D5000.

Your camera is still under the one year Nikon warranty. Call Nikon's repair depot at 1-800-NIKON-US (1-800-645-6687) 9AM-8PM EST, Monday to Friday. They will verify your warranty and assist you in returning it for repair.

Try to reset it by switching on the camera, pressing and holding 'INFO' button near the trigger and 'I' button in the left-hand side bottom. Hold the buttons together for few seconds till information on LCD screen appears. I hope your autofocus will work after this.

If it doesn't, carry your camera to the service personnel.

Yes and no. I assume the lens is of more or less the same vintage as the N75? If so, the lens will fit onto the D5000. All of the camera's exposure and metering modes will work properly. However the lens lacks an interal focus motor and thus will not autofocus on the D5000. You can focus manually, and the green focus indicator in the viewfinder will continue to work.

Is the lens aperture ring set to the "a" position?

Seems as if you're snapping the shutter before the lens has focused. Have you tried manual focus or single-server auto focus?

What camera body? This lens doesn't have an internal focusing motor and thus will not autofocus on the D40/D40x/D60/D5000/D3000.

I believe you're hearing the VR in the lens adjusting. Try turning the VR off and see if you hear the sound. If not, then you have a normal operating lens.