The softdog watchdog timer has a bug that can create an oops:

1.  Load the module without the nowayout option.
2.  Open the driver and close it without writing 'V' before close.
3.  Unload the module.  The timer will continue to run...
4.  Oops happens when timer fires.

Reported Sun, 10 Oct 2004, by Michael Schierl <schierlm@gmx.de>

Fix is easy: always take a reference on the module on open.
Release it only when the device is closed and no timer is running.
Tested on 2.6.13-rc6 using the soft_noboot option.  While the
timer is running and the device is closed, the module use count
stays at 1.  After the timer fires, it drops to 0.  Repeatedly
opening and closing the driver caused no problems.  Please apply.
Signed-off-by: Chuck Ebbert <76306.1226@compuserve.com>
Signed-off-by: Wim Van Sebroeck <wim@iguana.be>