MBP shuts off when not plugged in (yet battery is fully charged)

This is the 3rd time I've suffered from this problem.
The problem lasts for about two days then seems to go away for a week or so.
When I leave the MBP charging for a few hours, then disconnect the power, it almost immediately shuts off (no warning, no error, no sleeping).
While disconnected, if I try and turn it on, I hear the boot sound, but then it shuts off again - the monitor never turns on.
If I connect it back to the power it turns on and boots fine.
My parents also have a brand new MBP, and I can avoid the problem by swapping batteries.
I therefore think my battery is faulty.
What else can I do to test the battery functions?
Thanks,
-Vijay

This started happening to me a few wks ago. My MB Pro would just go blank and shut down for no reason, while using it unhooked from the power cord. I could restart it, but it would shut down within a few minutes. The battery showed 60 to 70 %. Looking up on this discussion, I found numerous others who have had this problem. I called Apple support, but could not get to a person, they work only 6AM to 6PM in the US. So, today, I took it in to the Genius Bar, here in San Jose, CA. His first reaction was, Oh, you do not have Applecare. I told him about the battery problem reports on this discussion. He feigned ignorance of the problem. Next minute, he turned to me and said he will replace the battery free of charge! My MB Pro is 17 months old, and I do not have Applecare. So, all you people with this 'sudden death syndrome' please go into the store, or call Apple and claim what is due.

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was wondering if anyone has experienced this paritcular problem or knows what to do...
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Model Information:
Manufacturer:          DP
Device name:          bq20z451
Pack Lot Code:          0000
PCB Lot Code:          0000
Firmware Version:          0201
Hardware Revision:          0002
Cell Revision:          0164
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh):          2037
Fully charged:          No
Charging:          No
Full charge capacity (mAh):          5078
Health Information:
Cycle count:          168
Condition:          Normal
Battery Installed:          Yes
Amperage (mA):          -917
Voltage (mV):          11235
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          5
Wake On AC Change:          No
Wake On Clamshell Open:          Yes
Wake On LAN:          Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          5
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          1
Wake On AC Change:          No
Wake On Clamshell Open:          Yes
Current Power Source:          Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
Reduce Brightness:          Yes
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AC Charger Information:
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Message was edited by: sluey

Shuts down when not plugged in

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When it's plugged in ...does your battery show a charge? Also, if you press the little button on your battery (on the bottom of the macbook) a series of green led's should tell you if you have a charge. just asking this because your macbook may not stay on if your battery is not charging/dead.
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MBP shuts off when not plugged in (yet battery is fully charged)

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