Can hardware operate without a software?
Hardware can most definitely work without software. Any piece of
machinery is considered hardware. Take a bicycle for example. It
requires no software whatsoever to function properly. Now if you're
talking in "computer only" terms, there are also components inside
your PC that do not require software to function. The power supply
for example, is plugged into an outlet and sends power to the
motherboard and drives etc. In it's most basic form it requires no
programming to function. Now I'm sure there are some advanced power
supplies with chips inside that are programmed to do certain things
and make the hardware function better. That's what software is
meant to do...
Now as for software working without hardware... I don't think
that is plausible. The only reason software exists is to direct or
improve the function of hardware. In fact, software cannot just
float in the air; it must be stored somewhere. Anything it could be
stored on would have to be considered hardware.
Hmmm, interesting...