PC not working after plugging in external hard drive, how is this even possible?

[tablo13]

I have a Dell Dimension 3000. It's been slow these last few days, even displaying the low virtual memory warning. I ran Microsoft Security Essentials on it, I didn't do a full system scan, but scanned some of my recent downloaded files few days ago. I needed to use my external hard drive. The USB cable was already plugged in, so I plugged in the power cable to the hard drive. Then, BOOM! Everything except the fan in the computer stops working. Even the Ethernet port doesn't light up. How is this even possible?

 

[balamw]

To venture a guess your power supply might be toast. Even though the drive was not bus powered the extra power draw from talking to the drive may have thrown it over the top.

B

 

[hehe299792458]

Could also be a MB problem?

 

[tablo13]

To venture a guess your power supply might be toast. Even though the drive was not bus powered the extra power draw from talking to the drive may have thrown it over the top.

B

I guess. It seems to fixed itself now.