AIC rating of laptop...

[e57]

Is it beyond comprehension that a tech might do something like that intentionally to "see what would happen"?

However, I do not think it is beyond comprehension for a tech to accidently do something like this:

FYI: While I did intentionaly cut, and install this on an end where the cable marking would show, I attempted to do the rest all but blindly. i.e. use a 3-step stripper, apply the connector, and compress while not looking, using typical effort and this is the result. A #4cu with an F-connector.... Try it, it's not hard....

OK - i'll stop - beaten to death.....

 

[hmspe]

However, I do not think it is beyond comprehension for a tech to accidently do something like this:

I've never seen a cable tech who couldn't tell the difference between coax and THHN. Among other things, on the cable they use around here they have to manually fold the shield back before they install the connector. This would be very hard to miss.

There are only two possible failure modes I see here that might be plausible: (1) the tech found a high-power RF transmission line and cross-connected it to the cable modem. Unlikely in a residential setting, and the cable types would likely be different. (2) the tech somehow got 120V on the shield of the coax without getting shocked or drawing sparks. Neither seems plausible to me.

Even if either of the above happened it doesn't address how the voltage coupled through to the laptop for long enough and at high enough amperage to do damage. Maybe the cable modem would burn out (although I doubt it -- cables modems have things pretty well isolated to prevent damage from surges, lightning, mis-connections, etc.), but getting enough power to do the damage shown out through the modem's USB port or RJ-45 port (which are also generally well isolated), down a USB cable, and into a laptop is highly unlikely.

Based on the few facts presented, I have to agree with "urban legend".

Martin