Laptop Shuts Down, Sleeps Randomly.  Help?

So yeah, I've had my iBook G4 14-inch since August of '05, and it's been a great machine the whole time, but recently it started shutting down and sleeping itself seemingly randomly. It works perfectly if it's running on the battery alone, and usually works okay if the battery is in and the adapter is also plugged in--until it starts sleeping itself or shuts itself down, that is. The adapter charges the battery just fine, but the computer doesn't run with the battery out and the adapter in as it should (and used to). On a related note, I've been having another power issue for a while, but it's been occasional enough that I could deal with it and didn't feel the need to post here about it. Sometimes when I'm using the laptop with the battery in and the adapter plugged in as well, even if the battery's fully charged, if I pull the adapter out it will sometimes shut down suddenly. Seeing as my battery, after almost 4 years of use, has been reduced to just 46% of its original capacity (according to a battery utility), I've been considering getting a new battery anyway and would not be opposed to buying a new one now if that would solve the problem. I'm inclined to think it's something to do with the adapter and maybe some built-in power-related software, though, as all these issues seem to come back to that.
Any ideas?

Since the iBook sometimes doesn't recognize the power adaptor, despite resetting the PMU, it may be that there is a problem with either the power adapter itself or with the DC In Board. Here is a link to an article on troubleshooting the adaptor:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1725
The best way to troubleshoot this is to try a known good adaptor and see if that fixes the problem. That would mean finding a friend with an iBook or PowerBook with a good power adaptor or making an appointment at the Genius Bar at an Apple Store if you have access to one. They would have a store one to try.
Three things actually have to be good. Your battery is marginal, but it seems to work after a fashion. It seems that the problem is with the connection between the power port in the iBook and the power adaptor. The problem could either be with the power adaptor tip or with the port, which is part of the DC In Board. It is common for the port on the DC In Board to become damaged over time, as the solder connections holding the port to the board can break, resulting in poor or intermittent contact.
The DC In Board is not a terribly expensive part, and you could even repair it yourself if you are so inclined:
http://www.ifixit.com/
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/
If you don't want to do it yourself, it is not too bad to have it done--I seem to remember around $110 being posted some time back from a local AASP.
Good luck!

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