Just thought I would share what happened. Running Win98SE on this comp. I had disconnected the external hard drive (at the externel hard drive connection: usb cable still plugged into the comp) after shut down. I accidentally kicked the cable, which disconnected from the comp, and the comp went blank, black, the on\off switch didn't work. (Panic) I called the computer shop down the street, he said such action might have blown out the mother board. I took it there 2 minutes after they were supposed to close. (okay, I begged). It booted okay. He said it was the power supply. Apparently, unplugging it, and plugging it in again worked. But don't try this at home. And don't disconnect a usb connection while the comp is on unless you have "safely removed hardware." With Win98, there is no icon in the systray, (unlike my XP) so the "safely' would seem to be disconnecting the usb cable at the comp after shutdown. If anyone has anything to add to this, I'm sure it would be appreciated.
Chas