Can Linux break computers?

I remember reading a few articles on this, but I cant seem to find them anymore. Well can linux break a computer, by break I mean not a software issue, but hardware failure and possibly erase some of the firmware on the hardware.

 

Yes, but only if I want it to.

Well, the default hard drive power management settings can cause some drives to wear quicker than normal, but it's an easy setting to change.

 

Linux wouldn't break a computer any easier than a Windows installation, unless you're really trying to..

 

Well the first kernel used in the Intrepid alpha killed some Intel NIC, so yeah it can kill hardware even if you don't want to but then it was a alpha/beta kernel so people knew that that kind of stuff might happen... Stable linux distribution with a stable kernel should not destroy hardware unless you tell it to.

 

Yes, it can. I read an article about 6 months ago that there was a release candidate kernel that wiped/corrupted the firmware of the intel ethernet card. Of course that this was a release candidate kernel and not the final stable kernel that was released. Once this error was found it was fixed in the final stable release. This was in Debian sid that I read about, since I was running Debian at the time. The way to get the ethernet card fixed was to send the laptop back to the manufacturer and have them replace the card completely or if they had some special firmware flashing process, they would have to do that. That is if the laptop is still under warranty and if they honor this kind of repair under the warranty you have

 

Linux doesn't break computers, people break computers

 

Oh, yeah, I remember that. There's always a risk when using development releases.

 

I believe one could argue that the risk is greater with open source bazaar style development compared to something more controlled like Windows where it is unlikely even a beta build will cause such problems.

When free software makes a mistake, they're easily forgiven because it's free (and this is a dangerous attitude), but when a commercial software does similar things, there will be no end to the criticism.

 

Running an alpha or beta on new hardware is a bad idea. But I also support the idea that users have the right to take an educated risk with their own property.

 

True, but it also follows from the open source development paradigm that minor infractions that never become visible to the public criticism are addressed more quickly and completely. In any case, I have never seen or heard of a case wherein hardware is bricked by a stable linux kernel.

 

I guess I'll wait for other people to experience these failures first before installing them.

One more question, I'm running arch can some of the packages in arch or any other bleeding edge distros for that matter cause some hardware failure

Thanks guys,

Ray

 

In my experience, no.

 

You will be waiting a very long time, my friend. That's like saying "I'll wait for someone to drown in my pool before I swim in it."

Yes, they absolutely can. Will they do it without your knowledge? Very, very unlikely.

 

That's selfish. Part of the cost of running free software is the risk you are supposed to take. By being a tester for the community, you're contributing towards improving the product, not just leeching off it.

 

I guess your right, but I can't take that risk. I wouldn't be able to pay off tuition if my computer broke.

 

My university uses Linux. Our computer labs and server arrays all use Linux. Millions of dollars worth of equipment: All use Linux. The world's fastest computer uses Linux: 6000+ processors running on a Linux cluster. Over 50% of the world's corporate server establishments use Linux as a network backbone.

You, sir, have stuffed your ears with salt.

 

I see your from the Central Valley what university is this? FresnoState?

 

Nah, why? What's there to be found in FSU?

 

Fresno state got like two computer labs dedicated just to Linux and another lab dedicated to some Sun based OS. I though the university you were mentioning was FSU.

 

Oh, cool. I didn't know FSU did *nix development too. That Sun OS is most likely Solaris.

 

Can using a hammer break a nail? Used improperly... of course it can.

Linux isn't going to break your computer unless you are absolutely, ruthlessly, careless (and don't do your homework).

/thread