Only if hardware is bad designed. For example software controls speed of electric motor by changing voltage, however motor is designed in the way that it will be burnt out if highest voltage used over 1 minute. You can imagine that software can easily exceed this limit. However if the motor has specific circuit cutting current if its temperature hits certain limit, then motor will survive whatever software is trying to do.

Returning to my some other post where I blamed Windows 7 + Dell BIOS capable to toast a hard drive.

Only if hardware is badly designed. For example software controls speed of electric motor by changing voltage, however motor is designed in the way that it will be burnt out if highest voltage used over 1 minute. You can imagine that software can easily exceed this limit. However if the motor has specific circuit cutting current if its temperature hits certain limit, then motor will survive whatever software is trying to do.

Returning to my some other post where I blamed Windows 7 + Dell BIOS capable to toast a hard drive.