What is the difference between hard error and soft error?
In computing and electronics, a hard error is an unrecoverable
error, typically the result of faulty hardware. A soft error is a
non-fatal error, typically occurring within a data stream, often as
a result of a minor power fluctuation. The hardware is not damaged
by soft errors -- only the data stream is affected -- thus
resetting or rebooting the hardware will typically resolve the
error.