So i was just playing around with my camera, indoors, dark setting just to get a feel for what the f1.8 lens can do in low light... all of a sudden whenever i had the flash open and pressed the shutter half way to focus, the flash would go off in smal VERY fast bursts whenever trying to focus... it hasn't done that in the month that i owned it so i was a bit worried. I tried my kit lens and it did the same thing, whenever i would try to focus when the flash up, i would get small, fast bursts of flash, however pictures still came out perfectly exposed.
So i went through the settings on the camera and changed a few thigns that i really wouldn't think have anything to do with it and now it doesn't happen again.

Does anyone know if there was a setting in the camera that makes this happen.. is there a reason this happens? or should i consider getting a replacement before it really gets bad?

Nope, my new 40D does that as well. Its the AF assist for low light. Perfectly normal

Lemme guess... your using the "green" mode right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autofocus_assist_beam

Or page 74 of your manual.

you're both right...

for what it's worth giga, i did read through the manual numerous times when i got my camera.. i'm not one of those people..lol

thanks guys.