Final cut wouldn't open, so I had to install the fcp update. Did that, and now I can open the program (by the way, also upgraded quicktime pro to 7.5.5). The only problem is that HD footage plays back with a stutter, and if i have rt set to safe, I get constant dropped frames. I play the same footage back on another identical macbook or in quicktime and have no problem.

Any clue as to what might be going on here? I had been editing with it the day before thanksgiving with no problems. I packed my laptop and drive up, drove to michigan, and when I got there the program would not open and I've had the aforementioned problems since. I 'm at my wits end. Any clues?

tried trashing prefs?
restarting the computer?

Sounds like a data rate issue?
At a loss, but thought I'd suggest the basics.

i trashed all the prefs, took quicktime back to 7.3, and restarted. I'm upgrading to leopard and going to see how it works out. should have more details tomorrow.

I reinstalled the os, and everything is working fine. Now, does anyone know how to reinstall quicktime pro? do i have to call apple and harass them to re-authorize my software?

should be qt pro with fcs... i never "purchased" qt pro, as fcs installs the pro "key" when you install it.
did you re-install fcs as well?

I talked to my administrator and it turned out he had the key for my computer. Good times. Got it working!