[cd34]

I think the power supply failure was coincidence. The power supply may have had poor ventiliation, a flaw, was running just on the edge of being in spec when they sold it and it just happened to break that one night.

As for plugging and unplugging USB, connectors have come a long way since the old 15 pin DIN type cables that were used to connect devices where the pins would bend or break. I don't think you would have any problem connecting and disconnecting the drive.