I have just bought a new base unit. ASRock K7VM2. AMD Athlon 2400, 128ddr, win98se. The system has started to freeze,crash to desktop, deliver the "general protection error" warning, and when I hit any key to continue, it closes down.(not all at once, may I add).
When I took delivery of the unit ,I found that the heatsink and fan had become completly detached from the cpu. The retailer told me it was ok for me to refit the fan unit myself (would not void warranty). Although I can send it back for repair, I was wondering if anyone had any idea`s that may sugest it`s not an overheating problem.
Thank`s. Tom.

You might want to try SAFEMODE and see if the problem goes away...

There are a couple of things I would do...

Run the HardDrive diagnostics which can be downloaded from the disk manufacturer's site...

Run a RAM tester...

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

The damn thing has started shuting down before it gets into windows now, so I presume that rules out any software or application prob`s?
I spoke to the vendor ,and he insists, I return the unit so he can do a proper bench test of all components. I will let you know how I get on.(sat)
Thanks. Tom.

Nope, don't want to mess with that warranty! ;)

I took the base unit back to the vendor(140 mile round trip). He replaced the cpu, and told me he had recieved a fualty batch from AMD that was causing endless headaches for him and his customers, not knowing which ones would fail untill he heard from unhappy customers. He was prepared to give me a free cpu upgrade, but the 2400 is as far as the mobo goes. I instead got a very nice discount on the same base unit,for my brothers birthday today.
Thank`s for the help.
Tom.

Are we to assume that the CPU was the culprit and that you're now "fixed?" ;)

Well according to the guy in the shop, it was the cpu. It`s up and running now, so we will see.
Thank`s for the help again.
Tom.

Well, the fact that the heatsink fell off is probably not AMD's fault. Unless I'm misunderstanding it, that assembly would have been done in the shop where you bought it.

Even if he did try to shift the blame ;) he did provide excellent customer support, which is commendable.