Macbook pro fails to reboot after shutdown following and ERROR : You need to restart

[Pomeron]

While typing a word document, screen of my Macbook pro running Leopard
dimmed and an error message
ERROR : You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several sec
appeared on the screen and my Mac become unresponsive. After turning off it,
I never get it back turn on. Screen stay black even after few minutes.

I found a similar entry about this error but that post said it happened when a camera was attached. Therefore advice given there does not apply to my case.

Nothing was attached to computer at the time and I only use Mac OS 10.5 although I had many applications such as Acrobat, Safari, terminal, dictionary, firefox etc open.

I do have virus checker active and do not open emails from unknown people
or download items from untrusted sites. Therefore I do not believe it is virus problem.

Thanks in advance

 

[Rampant.A.I.]

Sounds like a Kernel Panic. Your computer is looking for a piece of hardware that isn't there, and freaking out.

Is it under warranty?

 

[Pomeron]

Yes it is under warranty.
Since you asked, I guess it is serious. Hope it is not disk. Hate to rebuild it from scratch.