My Newest Helper is Artificial Intelligence

Hello, everyone.

Today I want to talk about my newest helper—and my newest helper is artificial intelligence.

Yes, I talk to my computer. I talk to it quite a lot, in fact. Some people may think that sounds strange, but I have found it extremely useful.

I’m 79 years old, and I enjoy working on older computers and laptops. I buy some of them very cheaply through online auctions. Then I see whether I can repair them, improve them, install Linux Mint, and give them a useful second life.

Artificial intelligence has been especially helpful with that work.

When a computer won’t start, a screen goes dark, a battery won’t charge, or Linux refuses to install, there can be many possible causes. My AI helper helps me work through those possibilities one at a time.

For example, I had an HP laptop that would not let me install Linux Mint properly. We eventually figured out that its Intel Optane memory was interfering with the installation. After I removed the Optane module, I was able to install Linux Mint and get the computer working.

On another older HP laptop, the picture was still present, but the backlight kept going out. Artificial intelligence helped me think through the possible causes, including the inverter, the display cable, and the magnetic lid switch. It didn’t magically repair the computer for me—I still had to open the machine, examine the parts, order replacements, and do the work—but it gave me someone to reason through the problem with.

It has also helped me identify the correct kinds of memory, hard drives, solid-state drives, batteries, chargers, and other parts. That is important because it is very easy to order the wrong computer part. When you are trying to revive an old laptop economically, one wrong purchase can wipe out any money you might have saved.

I also use artificial intelligence when I’m considering computers at an auction. We examine the photographs and specifications, discuss what might be missing or broken, and decide how high I should bid. Sometimes the wisest advice is to stop bidding and let somebody else take the risk.

We have also been organizing my laptop projects in a spreadsheet. It keeps track of what I paid, the shipping charges, the parts I installed, and whether I eventually sold or donated the computer. That will help me find out whether this hobby is paying for itself—or at least how much the hobby is costing me.

Artificial intelligence has helped me with other things too, including questions about my cars and truck, bicycle trips, collectibles, and finding businesses or telephone numbers. But computers are where it has been especially valuable.

The thing I appreciate most is the patience. I can ask a question, try something, explain what happened, and then take the next step. If I don’t understand an answer, I can ask for a simpler explanation. I never have to be embarrassed about asking the same question twice.

Artificial intelligence cannot replace human judgment, experience, or friendship. It can also make mistakes, so I don’t accept every answer without thinking about it. But used carefully, it can be a very capable assistant.

At 79, I am still learning, repairing things, trying new projects, and occasionally getting myself into a computer problem that takes a while to solve. Having a patient helper available whenever I need one makes those projects a little easier—and a great deal more enjoyable.

So yes, I talk to my computer.

And I’m very glad that it talks back.

  

Later