kernel: attempt to access beyond end of device

[Johann Spies <jhspies@adept.co.za>]

I had to press the reset button again today while working (running
Acrobat Reader on a gnome - icewm environment.  My system is a mixed
slink/potato system.

Then I checked /var/log/kern.log and found the following:

May  2 12:24:58 Johann kernel: attempt to access beyond end of device
May  2 12:24:58 Johann kernel: 16:05: rw=1, want=65516, limit=65488

Looking for the same kind of error earlier in the logfile I found it a
few times, most of the time referring to (I suppose it is a device)
02:00 a few times and once to 03:04 in the second line.

Now my questions:

1. Is this a kernel problem or a hardware problem?
2. Where can I find out to which device (if it is a device it refers
to) a number like 16:05 in the error message above refers.  I have
looked at /usr/src/linux/Documentation/devices.txt, but do not get a
clear answer on this.
3. How can I prevent the same problem in the future?

Enjoy your day.

Johann

-- 
J.H. Spies, Hugenotestraat 29, Posbus 80, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Tel/Faks 021-876-2337 Sel/Cell 082-255-2388
     "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."
                   Romans 12:14