Use Recovery Mode only when you can't get into the iPad to operate it. If your iPad starts but freezes while you're using it, ...

The screen is a critical component of the iPad, so it can cause a lot of panic when it suddenly has issues. Aside from the button or two on the sides of the iPad (and a Home button on older models), ...

Anyone else have this happen? iPad 2, about a year old (although still within warranty, thankfully). Button would occasionally not register clicks, but it got a lot worse suddenly so I took it in.