Is my Z33a dying?

This past week my powerhouse Z33a has been turning off on its own. Not shutting down (i.e. system shutdown), but completely shutting off while the battery is fully charged and the AC plugged in. It happens at random and it is hard to see if there is any pattern to the issue. I use my laptop anywhere from 3-8 hours a day and some days it will be fine and others not so much.

I have noticed a couple issues that might be related to the problem. I don't think their normal and they probably shouldn't be happening.

-Somewhat often the AC connector sparks after putting it in the laptop and twice the AC connector has smoked.

After the notebook shuts itself off, it takes several attempts to turn it back on. On failed attempts, pressing the power button will flash the LEDs quickly, but no HD-spin/fan noise is heard. Sometimes it will stay on but the fan speed is loud, I hear no HD-spin, and there is no screen. After several attempts I can get the system back on and it appears to be fine until it randomly shuts down again.

I own two batteries (a 3 cell with 58% ware and a 9 cell with 8%).

Okay..I've had my Z33a for about a year and a half now, but I don't see any reason why the laptop should turn off on its own when the battery is plugged in.

I think it might be a motherboard issue. Maybe there has been stress on the capacitors. I'd attempt to look at them, but I don't want to open up my laptop.

My warranty is over, but I am thinking about calling ASUS about the issue and dropping the notebook off at the dealer I bought it from.

Has anyone seen these symptoms in any ASUS notebooks before?
Or, If anyone can shed some light on this issue I would greatly appreciate it..

 

You might have a grounding issue with the AC adapter, thats usually what causes them to spark. That could also be causing problems in the computer. It might be damaging the motherboard, so I would try to get a new AC adapter, or get it to your dealer fast.