Why does my laptop die after 10 seconds

[shervie5]

Hi, I've got an Acer Travelmate 4150LMi which I bought just over 12 months ago. I was using it last week and it suddenly went dead. Since then it starts up and goes to the set-up screen and then after 10 seconds just goes completely dead.

The battery is charged. The electric connection is fine. I've tried all the usual F8 and Fn etc buttons but still it dies after 10 seconds.

I am bed-bound a lot of the time, and the laptop is like my window to the world. And I miss it! Can anyone help please?