Charging Problem: Battery or Motherboard?

The diagnosis:

• Charge deteriorating daily - "full charge" from 100 % to 60 % over the last 2 weeks . Windows & BIOS both recognize fact that battery is going up to 60 % capacity but can't charge the battery past that point, computer on or off. Indicator used to switch blue when at full charge. It will never switch to blue now, it ALWAYS indicates that it is charging.

The facts / history:

• Self-caused problems: Broke power supply cord while attempting to charge by jamming it into express printer "nub" port while not looking
• Bought a cheap power supply on ebay for replacement, they sent the wrong one. Was a 60W and needed a 65W, attempted to use it without looking at the fine print on the power brick. Comptuer worked for 10 minutes then shut down. Problems started happening since then.
• I bought the OEM power cord from the authorized dealer to attempt to resolve the problem.
• I tried the auto-battery learning utility - which recognizes the fact that it is not fully charged but left overnight will not go past that inhibited value (now at 60 %)
• Atttempted BIOS flash - even though it wasn't an upgrade.
• Pulled CMOS battery

Concern:

So is it the motherboard or the battery? I would hate to spend the $110 dollars on the battery to learn that it is the motherboard. My warranty will be covered if it is the motherboard, but if it turns out to be the battery and I sent it in, nothing will be covered and I will have wasted about $250 bucks in shipping and diagnostic fees. What does every one think, and have they seen this before?

ghd what do you feel operating on the pure power source for 2 days would accomplish out of curiousity? I am kind of hoping it is the battery, especially since they have a new 12 cell version for my model but what bothers me is that ... that must mean I can actually RUIN the battery by supply a power that is underrated.... ? I've never heard of ruining a battery like that. Have you?

Trying Suggestions after delivery

The battery learning indicator indicated in percentage and in "maH" (or whatever) that the better was at 60 % but couldnt charge anymore. It kept trying to charge more, but it couldn't. Kinda like the littlest engine.

I am going to try this after I order a new battery! and I am also going to try qhn's suggestion of not using the battery at all, this weekend.

It was an 8-cell. The reason I have not bought a new one already is because the OEM website for GW C-143X (www.mundocorp.com) indicated a new battery that is 12-cell which I would rather cough up an extra 30 bucks for. They didn't offer this when I bought the laptop, but it's listed out of stock. I called and they said they don't give estimates of arrival. I'm going to wait 2 weeks, else assume this magical 12-cell battery ive never heard of since now probably isn't even in production. At that time I'd get the 8-cell. Id love to sit through all my classes without plugging in though! I'm getting excited just thinking about it... nerdy huh!

Nope , battery learning indiciates not full, tries to charge it, and fails. Windows Vista and Win7 will both get up to the 60% mark when it caps out, it will says "60% charged, not charging" when you hover with the mouse. Always the light is purple when plugged in, indicating that it is charging.

In short, it's not over.... I'm just delayed because I am dying to get a 12-cell battery now that I've seen it on the website! Will post troubleshooting results when I have them thanks guys!

huh?