If you have Daemon tools, I'd guess it's a conflict between it and the game. I don't know about Warhammer myself, but I do know:
a) As Marko indicated, Starforce has been known to completely bork up your optical drive's drivers. It installs an "intermediary" driver that intercepts all data coming in from and out to the optical drive. It also intentionally conflicts with stock installs of Daemon tools.
b) Some newer copy protection schemes (such as those employed by Ubisoft on all of their new games), actually scan for and intentionally corrupt systems that have what Ubisoft deems "piracy tools" installed, including: CloneCD/DVD, Alcohol 120%, and Daemon Tools among others.
I, personally, think that companies that sell malware like this should be charged with criminal offenses (intentional destruction of personal property is used against "hackers" all the time).
Good luck returning the game. I'd say you likely won't have much success (which is another reason the industry pisses me off). Where else can you intentionally manufacture a defective product, and yet routinely deny customers the opportunity to return it even after very short periods of time? If you can't, and you still want to play the game, I'd suggest you ask around on the CD Freaks forums. I'm sure there's a way to crack and remove whatever malware infestation is on the disc...