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Software Update Shuts Down Nuclear Power Plant

Posted by Soulskill on from the we-have-safety-systems-because-we-are-very-stupid dept.

Garabito writes "Hatch Nuclear Power Plant near Baxley, Georgia was forced into a 48-hour emergency shutdown when a computer on the plant's business network was rebooted after an engineer installed a software update. The Washington Post reports, 'The computer in question was used to monitor chemical and diagnostic data from one of the facility's primary control systems, and the software update was designed to synchronize data on both systems. According to a report filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, when the updated computer rebooted, it reset the data on the control system, causing safety systems to errantly interpret the lack of data as a drop in water reservoirs that cool the plant's radioactive nuclear fuel rods. As a result, automated safety systems at the plant triggered a shutdown.' Personally, I don't think letting devices on a critical control system accept data values from the business network is a good idea."

12 of 355 comments (clear)

  1. Install Complete... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Must restart reactor to complete software installation.

    [Yes] [No] [OMFG!]

  2. Critical Update by Enderandrew · · Score: 5, Funny

    Adds a whole new meaning to "Critical Update".

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  3. Oblig Simpsons reference by J'ai+Friedpork · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Vent radioactive gas? Venting gas prevents explosion. [Yes / No]"

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    Took this comment seriously, did you?
  4. the slashdot crowd is dying to know... by mathfeel · · Score: 4, Funny

    did it run Windows?

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    1. Re:the slashdot crowd is dying to know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      If it was running Windows the OS is at fault.
      If it was running something else then the application was at fault.

  5. EULA! by bluephone · · Score: 5, Funny

    It says right in the EULA that it's not to be used in a nuclear power plant!

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    jX [ Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler. - Einstein ]
  6. "King-size Homer" season 7 episode 7, Nov 5, 1995 by layer3switch · · Score: 4, Funny

    "... The move to SCADA systems boosts efficiency at utilities because it allows workers to operate equipment remotely."

    Another proof that Homer Simpson was truly ahead of his time.

    Are you mad, woman? You never know when an old calendar might come in handy. Sure, it's not 1985 now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? -Homer

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    "Don't let fools fool you. They are the clever ones."
  7. Re:Obligatory by Kamokazi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't forget about the now mutated sharks living in the coolant water growing frickin' laser beams on their heads.

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  8. Re:The problem is the update - not business networ by dissy · · Score: 4, Funny

    First customers are always asking why they can't update their system while it is still running. We liken that to changing your tire while driving down the road. Oh sure, NOW you think of a debian slogan ;}

  9. Re:Hmmm, threw an exception by xlv · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd rather it shut itself down then suffer major failure. Personally, I'd rather it doesn't suffer a major failure at all, whether it's after a shutdown or not. Oh you meant than and not then, never mind...
  10. MOD PARENT UP! by Lux · · Score: 4, Funny

    He's trying to find an opportunity to bash Microsoft!

  11. Re:One begs the question by badboy_tw2002 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good enough evidence for me! Microsoft caused a nuclear meltdown! Quickly, to the Blogo-Sphere!