New Nikon D60 switching itself off...

turn on the camera and find the reset function in the menu. reset it. then find the format function and reformat the memory card

Are you pressing the shutter button half-way and allowing the focus to lock before pressing the rest of the way?

If you are no longer covered by an in-store warranty, whether an extended service or recent sale (typically 30 days) type, going back to Best Buy probably will not help (but asking about it can't hurt).

Nikon Customer Support may be the best place to get the camera repaired, but you'll have to determine if the cost is worth it. If you decide to buy new, be aware that not all Nikon lenses work with all Nikon cameras. Otherwise, if you buy a new Nikon, you'll be able to reuse many of the accessories you currently own for the D60. This can save you a fair amount of money - but make sure your lenses and other accessories will work with the new Nikon model you're planning on buying *first*

Contact Nikon Service for more help with your D60 below:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/support/index.htm

I hope this helps!

Get a real Nikon battery.

Sounds like your computer or the software program you're using to download your pics is set to automatically erase the card after the download.

check your sd card, there's a tiny bar on the side that you can "slide" to unlock...

Hello. When i first bought a D60, it was working perfectly outdoors at day and would work without a hitch with external flash. However, the internal flash would never get released. No menu option would be of any use, only symptoms were flashing 'flash' and 'question mark' symbols in the finder. NIKON service fixed it - There was nothing wrong with the camera electronics. The little flash release mechanism somehow acted up and NIKON staff fixed it in +- 5 minutes. I do hope you have yours in full working condition by now.

There is a known defect in some of the Nikkor lens' that were manufactured during a certain time period. The same thing happened to my lens.. it stopped autofocusing for no reason at all. (It was purchased in May 08). I shipped it to Nikon and I received a new lens within 10 days of shipment. You have a 3 year warranty on the camera and the lens'. Nikon has AMAZING customer support when it comes to legitimate issues.
Go to the web site. Fill out a repair order and send the lens to them exactly as stated in the instructions. You will have a new lens within 2 weeks.

I thought the battery charged via the USB cord. It has to be charged only via the wall charger. Problem solved. I'm just a dummy!

Got it! It's on page 54 of the manual (mine anyway).

Choose release mode from the Quick settings display.

You have a choice between:
single frame (default)
continuous (burst mode)
self-timer
delayed remote (using the ML-L3)
quick response remote (using the ML-L3)

I just took 4 self-portraits using quick response. And deleted them straightaway!