Is it a bad thing that I have to do a hard restart on my MBP almost every 5mins?

[Jerry®]

DO hard restarts screw anything up?

[karsen]

It's not good.

What are you doing that's causing the lock up and forcing the hard restart?

[kj4btkljv]

Bring it in to your local Apple Store, pronto. Show them what it's doing.

Jeff

[Jerry®]

I'm not doing anything really. I suspect it's the graphics card/logic board because graphics on my screen get warped then my screen goes black and I have to restart.

[jimbrady]

Is it a bad thing that every time I try to walk around the block I collapse and require CPR? Yes, that's a bad thing, and if it were true, I'd be seeing a doctor. Run you fool.

[RAMd®d]

Of course it is.

Hard restarts can cause data corruption and directory damage.

Have you been able to start up and shut down without having to to a hard shutdown (you don't really do hard restarts)? If so, compare the boot time to those times when you've done a hard shutdown.

You'll probably find that booting up after a hard shutdown takes significantly longer than booting after a normal shutdown.

[GGD]

With all of the problems you've been describing over the past several days, have you tried booting into the Apple Hardware Test (hold "D" key down with the Install 1 DVD in the drive at Power On).

Run it in extended mode and see if it finds any hardware problems.

Maybe put it into Loop Mode (press Control-L before starting the extended test), and see if it will run overnight.

If it reports failures then you almost certainly have a hardware problem.

[IronMac]

You have to ask?

[Jerry®]

[quote IronMac]You have to ask?
The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

[raz]

[quote Jerry®][quote IronMac]You have to ask?
The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
Fine.

First make sure the RAM is properly seated. If that doesn't cure the problem, remove one stick and try again. Replace the first stick and remove the second. If the problems persist take it to the Apple Store or call 1-800-SOS-APPL.

They will ask if you have 3rd party RAM - if so, try the above with the original memory. They will ask if you've installed any third party software. Be prepared for a long phone call.