A/C Stopped Working

I've looked through the forums but I haven't been able to fix my problem. The other day I stopped (turned off the ignition) the car with the A/C on; when I went to restart the car (A/C button still depressed), I heard a screeching (belt?) sound & then no more A/C. I checked fuse 16 (A/C compressor) & that seems OK (not visually burnt); no sounds or changes happen at all when the A/C button is pressed: no clicks or other noise, no drop in RPM, etc. The blower fan still works on all speeds as does the recirculate button...
Any ideas?

Sounds like the compressor clutch.

It could be the clutch protecting the engine. The compressor might have broken a piston rod.

You might check the compressor (the part with the 14 mm nut in the center of the pulley) will turn easily and smoothly, no catches or clicks.

The Zexel compressor model is known to have a design flaw and seize up with exactly what you are describing. The Denso and Sanden have not yet been reported to do this.