The access was intentional. The botch was presumably an error, but that doesn't matter. What matters is the "authorization" issue. Was HP authorized to access the computer? Probably. Were they authorized to damage the computer? No. There's room for legal argument.
CFAA: intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, causes damage and loss.
The point is that fighting this is a lose-lose for HP. Either HP has to argue in court that they have a contractual right to brick your computer, or they have to make you happy enough to drop the case.
Visualize the press coverage of HP arguing on the record that they have the right to brick your computer.
CFAA: intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, causes damage and loss.
The point is that fighting this is a lose-lose for HP. Either HP has to argue in court that they have a contractual right to brick your computer, or they have to make you happy enough to drop the case. Visualize the press coverage of HP arguing on the record that they have the right to brick your computer.