I don't know if you've been following, or are even aware of, Why does a laptop die?, but - I know you're past your iBook (...love your new sig, by the way ); this is in the interest of science. - extrapolating from tacit's post, I'm going to ask you to yank your iBook's battery and try to start up without replacing it. (Think positively: if it works, you'll have a backup for your backup until you get a new machine. )
Thanks.
The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.
In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
); this is in the interest of science. - extrapolating from tacit's post, I'm going to ask you to yank your iBook's battery and try to start up 
)