Display randomly falling asleep

My PowerBook has begun to randomly go into sleep mode while I am in the process of using it. The screen simply goes dark, the sleep light indicator on the front of the computer begins to slowly flash, but it is only half as bright as full sleep mode. If I close the lid, the sleep light indicator will immediately begin flashing at normal brightness. When I open the lid, everything is back to normal.
I have checked on my energy settings in System Preferences. This has happened about five times today. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem as well as possible solutions?

My five and a half year-old 17" G4—which until now has worked almost flawlessly—just started displaying this behavior on Thursday. Brief flickers to a black screen (usually twice in quick succession) followed by immediately going to sleep. I can always wake it up from sleep mode (for now), but it's annoying and makes it difficult to concentrate. If I close the lid and the computer goes to sleep for more than a few minutes, when it wakes up the screen is almost (but not entirely) dimmed out, and the only way to resume normal brightness is execute a forced shutdown, after which it's fine.
I've read everything here and on the other online forums, which suggest that the problem is tied to either the temperature sensor or the ambient light sensors. And I've come across two solutions (possibly related) that seem to work for me. First go to System Preferences and disable the trackpad when a mouse is plugged in (I almost always use a mouse). Since I've done that, there have been no random sleep episodes. Second, when shutting down for the night (or anytime), tell the computer to go to sleep (or let it go to sleep on its own, as dictated by System Preferences) but don't shut the case. This allows it to wake up normally with normal screen brightness.
A very helpful "genius" at my local Apple Store (whom I saw before hitting on the interim fixes above) said the problem could also be a failure of the mechanical switch that helps put the computer to sleep. The only permanent solution is to replace the entire top case (the piece covering the trackpad and keyboard), to which these sensors and the switch are attached. If your laptop is more than five years old, you will need to get the repair done by an authorized third-party company, as Apple no longer stocks the necessary parts.

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