Multiple hardware problems after connecting an ADC

[Zpato]

Last week I was performing data acquisition with an ADC connected to a USB port on my laptop running Windows 7.

I connected the ADC and started collecting data. Everything is fine for 1 minute, then the screen white's out.
I twisted the screen (not recommended) to bring the display back on, but it persisted to white out.
I alt+F4'd out of all open windows and shut the laptop down. I tried powering on and the screen was dead except the backlight.

I have since replaced the screen, and now when I power on the laptop I get a message saying a SMART event has occurred (no details provided, but HDtune shows no damage to HDD.)

My questions:
1) Could exiting the ADC window during data acquisition cause a SMART event? And to that end, can disconnecting a USB device while it is transferring data cause damage to the computer's HDD? (I know it could damage the USB device.)
2) Could a faulty ADC have cause the problem I described with my screen? or my HDD?

I'm interested because if it is possible that the ADC caused my problems, (and if I can find further evidence somehow) then the company I work for may be responsible for the cost of a replacement screen and HDD.

[Learn2day]

Care to translate ADC?

Seems like it's more a board issue than screen or HDD. Both went faulty at the same time, which points there.
Now if the source is the board due to system overload or the USB device, is not very easy to trace back, you need to check what overcharged it. This might be easy said than done.

[Zpato]

Originally Posted by Learn2day

Care to translate ADC?

Sorry, Analog to Digital Converter. For converting data from pressure/temperature sensors and things of that sort, to binary data a computer can use.

Also I should add that the ADC has its own power supply.

[Learn2day]

Try and measure the ADC USB pin outputs, should be under 5 volts (4,5v usually).