It is called a kernel panic. You can think of it like a blue screen in windows. Most of the time it is a hardware issue, although it can be caused by some software.
You can open up Console (found in Applications / Utilities) and browse around to see if you can find what may be causing it.
If you're not familiar with that type of troubleshooting and you're still covered by Applecare, taking it in would be easiest. I wouldn't advise taking it in until you have a current backup.
Thanks everyone. I haven't really saved any work to it because it's so new. I have it all on my EX-HD. (ie. movies, music, pictures. blah blah) I called Apple this morning and will be taking it in.
And I was doing anything specific, just browsing around. Could it be this program I downloaded for the magic mouse which lets you do more with it. Like swipe left to bring to log in screen and swipe right to put to sleep?
is deleting it bad? I mean I could always just re-install, only took like 20secs if that. I just don't want to take it to Apple and it be something I downloaded then they say "oh well, shouldn't have downloaded it"
I made an appt with genius bar for when I'm off work
Most of those apps that actually make changes to the system have their own installer pkg. They are not just a drag and drop install. Just deleting the app will not remove the changes it made to the system. If you have already deleted it, then yes, reinstall it, then use it's uninstaller. I am only assuming that software had an installer, since I don't know what it is.
Well, it doesn't have an uninstaller but it does add itself to your Login Items. Go to System Preferences > Accounts > Click on your user name > Login Items. If you see it there, remove it. As for uninstalling it, AppCleaner should do the job.
I'm led to believe that this isn't the problem though. Let's start with getting rid of that app and go from there.
ok, called Apple and set an appt with genius bar. I told them i had downloaded 4rd party apps and he also said he doubts the issue. Is it "wrong or illegal" in apples eyes to DL 3rd party stuff
Why would it be illegal? It's only illegal if you pirate the software. And no, downloading 3rd party software is not wrong. Photoshop is 3rd party, MS Office is 3rd party...
They would have a problem if you downloaded commercial software without paying for it (this is by no means unique to Apple though). If you legally acquired the software, Apple can't tell you what you can and can't install. That said, I'm sure there is some software that might void your warranty.
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