USB device killed my USB. What are my rights?

[Poirot]

Good day to you all.

Recently ordered a USB device from a company and upon plugging it in. It worked momentarily then stopped. Ok I though so I unplugged it then plugged it back in. Few seconds later I smelt circuit board/capacitor burning kind of smell and then device failed to work at all then.

Didn't think too much of it as some new devices do tend have that 'hot' PCB smell when being used from new.

I plugged it in ione of my other USB ports which was a PCI riser type card from the board and the exact same thing happened but with less of a smell.

Now, despite various reboots and shutdowns and swapping around NO usb ports work on my computer, that includeds the one that my optical mouse was attacted too (no back on ps2 ms mouse)

I am not a monkey with computer hardware and have been building my own computers for years, I also have an MCSE in windows 2003 (I'm not trying to prove to be arrogant, merly that I have a moderate amount of good knowledge when it comes to this kinda stuff and im not just an ignorant noob)

What are my rights on this, the company offered to replace the item but fail to acknowledge and even outright deny that their device could short out my USB ports. I feel helpless!

EDIT: Just like to state I live in the UK whether that makes any difference regarding consumer rights.

[ABIT Sean]

I think you are well within your rights to take the matter further, but it can be a long time before you see any results. The one thing you would have to prove is that the USB device actually caused the fault, and i am not sure if you ever could.

[Poirot]

Thanks for the reply. I am sure I could as I still have the USB device and the stickers are still on the seal of the device to prove the circuitry hasn't been tampered with. Stupidly I plugged it into my fathers laptop, (why do computers always push you with that stupid acting curiosity) and it killed one of the usb ports on that.

[htid]

Then surely you could send it back, tell them to plug it into a usb port and blow theirs?

[Poirot]

Definately, however what if they just deny anythings wrong with it even at their end? This is why I feel so helpless.

[behappier]

Consequential failure, I don't think you have a chance in hell... Sorry

[htid]

Very true, do you not have any other systems lieing around that you could possibly film to show it happening? Although i guess it would be pretty hard to prove that you hadn't tampered with it previously. You could try and call citizens advice. In another situation i had a top that i bought that went wrong, i tried to take it back and they wouldn't have it. I got in touch with CA and wrote to the company saying all the stuff CA told me, and they gave me a refund without question.

Other than that i'm sorry but i don;t know :/

[prehensile]

what company and product is it?-essentially would have to go and see your lawyer about it, as long as all the seals are on there you will be able to that the voltage on it and check it with a volt meter to see if it's sending a dangerous voltage back through the other way, and in no claims court would eventually reward you.

[geezerone]

Don't think the company is required to replace anything which was damaged as a result of using the product except to replace the product itself. Like people have already said, you would have to take if further but suggest you contact the manufacturer as it was 'their' product which allegedly (not proven) to cause the fault and may get a 'goodwill' gesture towards replacing the motherboard.