Contrast with fatal system error, an operating system-specific error.

Troubleshooting Run-Time Error Messages 
Describes what to do if your DOS or Windows application crashes. Includes descriptions of common runtime errors, such as bad command or filename, unable to load COMMAND.COM, error reading drive, general protection fault (GPF), and stack overflow. This page is from "The PC Guide."

Troubleshooting Windows 95 Errors
Helpful page with information on what to do if you have illegal operations, fatal exceptions, and general protection fault errors.