M17xR2 will not boot if AC adapter unplugged

I've had an odd problem with my M17xR2 since i received it last September.  If the power adapter is removed while the laptop is powered off, then it will not boot either with the adapter removed or reseated.  The only way to get it to boot at that point is to remove the battery and reseat it.  Also, if I remove and don't reseat the battery, then it will boot with the power adapter connected.  Bottom line, I can't remove the adapter from a powered down laptop or it will not boot.  So I always have to first boot the laptop before I can move it to another location.  Strange take on portability.  Makes my "desktop replacement" more of a desktop pc.

Otherwise, the M17xR2 is all I'd hoped for.

Any suggestions?  Chris?  Anyone?