Sorry to hear that didn't go better. Not sure how easy it will be to find someone who can repair motherboards if it is required, but this section is more for customers who are having issues with ASUS RMAs/repairs, so if you have any interest in sending the notebook back to ASUS for repair and are having any problems to arrange it, feel free to let us know.
From your post it sounds like you were hoping to solve it another way though, but just wanted to make sure. Thanks.