I am trying to hook my vcr up to run through my dish box, & it's not doing anythibg

You need to connect outputs from the disk box to compatible inputs on the VCR. Then connect outputs from the VCR to compatible inputs on your TV. Without seeing the jack panels for each device its hard to be more specific.

And make certain that the input of the VCR is set to the correct set of jacks (front or back or similar). And TV to the correct input also.

The others are right, check your connections again.

Connecting depends on how you want to use the VCR. Do you want to be able to record programs you see on dish or just play tapes already recorded