So here is my problem guys. Recently the ocmputer i build for my sister started to act weird. She was using it in an hot environment. One day she started to receive Page faults and irq errors when ever xp booted. Also when the comp is booting the motherbaord sometimes registers soemthing like "A hardware error was found" or "Bad hardware configrueation." When I check everything out it seems normal. I tested her RAM w/ my working one and the same problem occurs. I tried installing different OS on her system and they all report errors and soem stage in the process ( WIN98 and Linux). So I figuere it must be the CPU or the motherboard. What do you guys think?

If you tested the RAM & the same prob occurred, wouldn't you suspect the RAM? or I am misreading? Download & run either Memtest86 or DocMemory to test your RAM...the program creates a bootable floppy & runs thru DOS. If your RAM is bad, you'll find out right away...

Sounds as if your CPU is shot. or it may be corroded connections. clean all peripheral card connection edges with plain paper and reinsert them into the motherboard. of you have a Slot A or Pentium Plug in board CPU, Clean that slot and card also. if you still have problems, pull out all cards from the motherboard except for the video card and recheck. (remove the devices from Devicemanager before you remove the cards) one by one replace the peripheral cards untill the error returns. if the error doesn't care if the boards are in or not your CPU and or Motherboard Chips are bad. good luck

You have checked the RAM, and they seem okay. CPU, either it works or doesn't work there is hardly anything in between. With the high temperature you mentioned, I'd suspect the hard drive. Try download the diagnostic tool from the manufacturer if you could. They mostly boot from floppy. Best of luck.

2nd thought, check PS also. High temperature environment degrades PS output, i.e. 300 watts rated PS may only be 200 at 50 C.