Battery plugged in, not charging


I'm running Windows Vista on a Gateway NX570X laptop. About a year after
I bought it, it slid off the table and bent the connecter for the
original AC adapter, so I bought a new adapter online. It's an off-brand
adapter, but the voltage outputs and inputs are the same as my old
adapter, and it charged the battery fine for about two months. Then the
battery started charging halfway and then less and less until finally it
reached 0% available (plugged in, not charging). Now, this still wasn't
an immediate problem for me because my laptop is stationary most of the
time; however, since last October the adapter has had to be plugged in
at a certain angle or it won't power the laptop at all, and now it has
taken to shutting off randomly or whenever the connecter is nudged.
Highlights:

* Gateway NX570X laptop with Windows Vista
* Off-brand AC adapter worked for about two months before malfunctions
began
* Battery life reads 0% available (plugged in, not charging)
* Adapter must be inserted into the laptop at just the right angle to
turn it on
* Computer shuts down randomly, ranging between minutes, hours, and
days after starting it up

I have tried:

* Removing and replacing the battery while the computer was on and off
* Reinstalling Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery

I contacted one of Gateway's online reps about the matter, but he told
me to jiggle the battery before instructing me to buy a new one (then he
closed the chat). Is this definitely a battery problem? I don't have
much money to spend, so I'm not sure whether to spend it on a new
battery, a new AC adapter, or on taking it to a repair shop (if my small
town even has a reputable computer repair shop); or whether this might
be a problem with Vista.

Thanks!


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