My iBook is also shutting down randomly. Can anyone help?

Question

Hello!
So I appear to be in the same boat as many of the folks on this board. My iBook (bought new in June 1996 - I am still on the original battery) will shut down after a few minutes if I don't have it plugged in even though the battery does not show any signs of being drained.
So here are some details:
• Shut down happens when the adapter is unplugged. Has never happened when plugged in.
• When plugged in to the adapter the battery charge level (listed as a percentage in the gray bar in upper right corner of screen next to an American flag and the time) never gets above 98% no matter how long it is plugged in.
• Even though the charge level says 98% the tip of my barrel plug for the adapter is green not the amber color when it has a low charge.
• The details listed in "About This Mac" for battery are:
Battery Information:
Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 2476
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 2430
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 16301
Cycle Count: 287
I tried resetting the PRAM and as far as I can tell it did not do anything - it definitely didn't solve the problem.
So yes, it would mean the world to me if someone could help me out. I really need a computer that I can trust on the go for work this weekend and am in no position to buy a whole new laptop. So yeah, any help or advice would be amazing!
Thank you!!
Ryan

Answer 1

AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 5
Dynamic Power Step: No
Reduce Processor Speed: No
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: Yes
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: Yes
Wake On Modem Ring: No
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 180
Dynamic Power Step: No
Reduce Processor Speed: No
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: Yes
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On Modem Ring: No
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Reduce Brightness: Yes
Battery Information:
Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 1437
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 1436
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 16607
Cycle Count: 559
AC Charger Information:
AC Charger (Watts): 50
Connected: No
Charging: No
Hardware Configuration:
Clamshell Closed: No
UPS Installed: No
Thanks Richard!
The plastic part and screw twisted off. I can push the tab in with a screwdriver to latch it. I have the screw and battery taped and it seems to stay in place, but I should get it fixed. Just saving up the money for it.
I am now trying the battery and let it drain and recharge, as I have neglected to do that lately.
Thanks for answering!
Sandy
p.s it just dumped me at 53% capacity when I restarted. I came back to session where I was dropped and continued typing.
Thanks for the info and suggestions! I know I need to get some stuff done on this thing soon!