Packard Bell hell

Hello, I need some advice! My laptop Packard Bell Easynote 6100 (only a year and a bit old but out of warranty) is on the blink. The power point connection is getting massively hot at the back of the machine - I've tried two different adaptors and the same thing happened with both - in fact the second time it actually melted the plastic ring on the plug into the back of the machine. Somebody told me the solanoids/motherboard will be gone on it - and somebody else told me that would cost around £300 to replace which I just don't feel is cost effective, I may as well buy a new machine (with an extended warranty this time). However, I've just been looking on ebay and there is a PB 6100 motherboard in full working order for £80. Is this a good buy? How difficult is it to fit a motherboard? Am I just throwing good money after bad? All advice gratefully received.

swapping laptop motherboards is non-trivial work, even for veterans

i would bet on a dry solder joint, very small contact area = lots of heat.

if you can be arsed to strip it down (and its not that hard so long as you can split the case in half ok) its a 2 min job to resolder the DC input pin. Its a very common fault due to user abuse.

like direct hex said it is not a non trivial task. be prepared to get very frustrated and most of all be patient. that is if you decide to go ahead with it.