Dead camera, DC-DC converter issue?

Hey folks, I've found a number of references to the DC-DC converter failing on these cameras, and a thriving market in replacement modules on the usual websites for around $20 each.

Replacing the single module on the motherboard is not a Sony supported repair (they want the entire motherboard to be replaced, which costs the same as a second hand functioning camera) and there doesn't seem to be any good references to the diagnostics or the success of repairing cameras by switching out the single module.

Does anyone have any experience with this, or the knowledge of any places where this sort of thing is referenced? There doesn't seem to be any good english language references on the web, but there may be in other languages that I can't see.

Specific symptoms of the DC-DC converter failing can include the camera not powering up at all with no lights showing with a battery installed or with USB plugged in. In other cases, the camera may power up but no screen activity, or crash/power off when certain functions are triggered (taking picture, writing to the SD card, etc)

Diagnostic steps include testing the battery, and verifying that the right power is showing up at the right points upstream of the DC-DC converter, then no correct power showing downstream of the converter per the L3 service manual on this site.

While it's possible that the converter is not the root cause (something else could have caused its failure) it's definitely dead. There was also corrosion and burned components on the module.

Thanks for any assistance.