Acer Aspire 5050 - Battery & Wireless Don't Play Nice

OK... This problem has been eating away at me for months.

My wife has a 3 year old Acer Aspire 5050. She used to have Windows Vista, she now has Windows 7. She has had this problem for over 8 months , and across both Operating Systems.

At first I thought it was the battery, but I no longer believe that.

What I have found, is...

... while plugged in, I can run fine (wireless on or off)
... with wireless disabled, I can run off battery just fine.
... with wireless enabled, the laptop immediately shuts within 10 minutes.

I have tried disabling the wired nic, no help.
I have tried updating to the latest Atheros drivers, no help.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

Thought I had it fixed with newer drivers for the wireless... but nope.

Another symptom, when it wakes from sleep, it immediately crashes.

I am considering a fresh install of windows 7, since before I did an upgrade, which may have carried the problem forward.

 

In order to clarify this, I have updated the title... The problem is really that the laptop turns off when only on the battery.

It still seems somewhat tied to the wireless/battery combination, and also when resuming after sleep, only on battery.

It's funny how this problem only started after the warranty was up... I will NEVER buy another Acer.