T42 dies when unplugged yet battery is good, power mgr shows charge/discharge cycle OK

Ok weird problem -
I have a T42 with a "real" IBM battery running XP and latest version of power manager s/w V1.85 .
I can run the battery maint. test cycle and the T42 successfuly (or so it claims) runs the battery down and then charges it back up and reports that it is in good condition.
But when I unplug the 120V charger the laptop immediately shuts off, and will not run from battery. The contacts on the battery and in the laptop seem to be in fine shape. I have tried another battery that works fine in a different T42 but I still have the same problem.
When problem started the BIOS/controller code were downlevel, but I have now updated to the latest:
   BIOS - V3.23
   Embedded controller code V3.04
   Then reset BIOS to default settings
But ... problem remains.
Thanks for any assistance!

No they did not ... although that might have been why it was donated....
We are cramped for space so can still put it to good use, but it would have been nice to be able to actually be portable ... I feared there was no simple answer, replacing the motherboard is more work than I can put into it at the moment. I'll add wireless and we'll leave it "teathered' to a desk ...
Thanks for your help!

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