Why does my iSight camera periodically stop working, requiring PMU reset?

Just wondering why this happens?
Using a Feb 2011 Macbook Pro with OSX Lion 10.7.4
It seems that every time i use my built-in iSight camera, then the next time i go to use it, it can not be found. This requires that I reset the PMU, which is kind of annoying. Then it works for a few weeks and the cycle of iSight begins again.
Why does this happen? It seems pretty trivial to consistently recognize a camera which is wired into my computer. Is there something I could do to prevent this from happening again? I have tried turning it on and off again.
And currently, this article is linking to the reset instructions for Intel iMac instead of the Macbook Pro page...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
Thank you

dcunited001 wrote: ... Just wondering why this happens? ...
Because something is wrong.
dcunited001 wrote: ... Is there something I could do to prevent this from happening again? ...
One of the following will fix it.
(0) If you need help with the following suggestions,
      you might rather contact your local retailer or
      Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for help.
      They can help you or determine whether your Mac
      needs hardware service or only a software problem.
(1) Close all open apps that use the camera and then
     try again with only one app running at a time.
     If the problem continues, delete any Log-In items and
     Dashboard Widgets that might be using your camera.
(2) Try Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
     Be sure to use the correct SMC/PMU reset procedure
     for your particular MBP model: model with a battery
     you should not remove on your own
     If these suggestions do not help, yours may be a
     hardware problem that will require a professional fix.
    Unless you have a current backup, make one now.
    Then use the final "Troubleshooting" suggestion:
"... contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service."
(3) If you want to try one more thing on your own first,
     you can use Disk Utility to repair permissions. Then
     download and apply the latest Lion Combo Update:
      http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1524
    Repair permissions again immediately following the
    system restart that completes the Combo update.
Properly applying the Combo version of updates can sometimes correct software problems, but, if your trouble is caused by a hardware problem, there are no user serviceable parts of iSight. See your AASP for hardware problems.
dcunited001 wrote: ... article is linking to the reset instructions for Intel iMac instead of the Macbook Pro page...
The article actually has THREE links to TWO different SMU/PMU reset instructions:
• iMac G5 (iSight),
• Intel-based iMacs;
• MacBook and MacBook Pro
You should use the last one ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 ) Yes, it is the same article as for iNtel-based iMacs, but it is the correct one for you.
The important thing is to page down to the section entitled "Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)".   Then click the reveal triangle ( ▶ ) to see and carefully follow the specific reset instructions for "Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own". This is the proper reset process for your "Feb 2011 Macbook Pro".
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.7.4

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