[SLL] Can linux drivers damage hardware?

[Chuck Wolber]

On Tue, 2 Oct 2007, Eric wrote:

> I am looking to test Ubuntu Gutsy on a new laptop but wondered if there 
> is a possible chance of any damage to hardare such as the internal 
> wireless card, video card, .....

In the olden days, you used to have to worry about frying your monitor 
with bad XF86Config settings. Even further back, there was a rumor that 
you could send an op code to a harddrive that could cause the head to dive 
into the platter (I think it slowed the platter down just enough to lose 
the air bearing and cause the head to plow into the platter, but anything 
I ever heard about it was always 3rd or 4th hand).

There was also some code in lm-sensors that would brick certain IBM 
laptops. I'm not sure of the details.

These days there has been some major concern about opening up wireless 
drivers because technically speaking, some (all?) wireless cards can be 
tuned to different frequencies if you know how to do it. That won't 
necessarily break your card, but it could get you in trouble with the FCC.

As for physical damage, I can think of some theoretical things, but I've 
never seen or heard of anything happening in real life.

..Chuck..

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