From: markm@vl.com.au   
      
   Frank Durda IV wrote:   
      
   > There were a few sound reasons   
   > behind this, because it was completely possible to program a Model II   
   > to burn up its video system (complete with smoke and sometimes   
   > flames), and a few other expensive hardware pieces were also   
   > vulnerable to being destroyed due to not knowing what you were doing or   
   > if you only programmed half the settings in the alloted time or   
   > similar issues.   
      
   Wow, that's incredible, and one could argue, incredibly bad design.   
   Having said that, it's entirely possible to destroy your VGA monitor in   
   software too.   
      
   I recall a 'reader letter' from a TRS-80 magazine (I can't recall which)   
   requesting that the editors please include warnings on all of their   
   program listings as the author had run a listing he had just typed in   
   and the computer died - requiring repairs from Tandy/Radio Shack.   
      
   The editor's response was along the lines of it being impossible for   
   software to cause physical harm to the computer (it was a Model I BASIC   
   listing IIRC).   
      
   And of course there's the infamous "Halt-And-Catch-Fire" instruction. ;)   
      
   Regards,   
      
   --   
   Mark McDougall, Engineer   
   Virtual Logic Pty Ltd,    
   21-25 King St, Rockdale, 2216   
   Ph: +612-9599-3255 Fax: +612-9599-3266   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)