Dngallagher wrote:
Lock it on f/32, connect to camera while camera is OFF, turn on camera, go to manual mode.
See if that makes a difference. It is a MANUAL focus lens on a D3100 also.
Edit: If it still generates an error on the D3100, you may want to try it on another D3000 series or D5000 series before assuming the lens has an issue.
It was mine. Used it with a D70 and D200 until I bought my VR of the same size. Never had a problem with it and never had to do anything special.