Remember when you had to actually open a laptop to find the model number?

Back around 2010, I'd spend 10 minutes flipping a Dell Latitude over, looking for a tiny sticker that was often worn off. Now, I just run 'wmic csproduct get name' in the command prompt and get the exact model in two seconds. The shift to software tools for basic hardware ID saved so much time on the bench. What's the first old-school physical check you were glad to stop doing?

Question about a weird Lenovo ThinkPad T14 that wouldn't boot from USB

I mean, I had this client's laptop in the shop last week and it took me like 4 hours to figure out why the bootable USB just wouldn't show up. Turns out the BIOS had a hidden 'USB legacy support' setting that was turned off, and it was buried under three different menus. Has anyone else run into this on newer Lenovo business models?

Had a 2015 MacBook Pro come in with a dead GPU, got it working again with a heat gun

Customer brought it in, said it would just show a black screen. I opened it up and the board looked fine, no liquid damage. I used a heat gun on the GPU chip for about 45 seconds at 380 degrees, being real careful. After it cooled, the machine booted right up and has been fine for two weeks now. Anyone else had luck with this method on older Mac logic boards?

I tried learning Python from a big textbook for 3 months and got nowhere, then switched to a free online course and finished it in a week.

Rant: Had to pick between a new traction motor or a full rewire on a 1987 Otis

The building owner in Springfield wanted the cheapest fix, but the motor was pulling 15% over spec and the wiring was original cloth. I went with the motor swap first, which got it running smooth for now, but I'm sure the wiring will be a problem next winter. Anyone dealt with a similar call where you had to patch one thing knowing another would fail soon?

I was stuck on a story at the library in Boise until I saw a guy reading a book about deep sea fish

A squirrel tried to fix a dryer vent in my backyard last Tuesday

I was out in my yard in Springfield, trying to clear a clogged dryer vent on my own unit. I had the back panel off and the hose pulled out, and I went inside for maybe five minutes to grab a longer brush. When I came back, a big gray squirrel was sitting right on the lint pile, stuffing its cheeks full of the stuff. It looked up at me, gave a little chatter, and then dove headfirst into the open vent hose. I just stood there, brush in hand, watching this tail twitch as it pushed further in. I had to gently pull the hose off the wall and shake it out over the grass to get the little guy to leave. He ran off with a mouthful of my lint, probably to build the warmest nest in the county. Has anyone else had wildlife try to 'help' with a repair job?

A regular told me my coffee was too hot and I actually listened

This guy Mark comes in every Tuesday and last month he said, 'Rowan, I love the roast but I have to wait 10 minutes to drink it, it's burning my mouth.' Everyone always says piping hot is best, but I tried serving his next cup at 150 degrees instead of my usual 175. He finished it in half the time and ordered a second. Now I keep the carafes a bit cooler and I've had three people comment they drink it faster. Anyone else adjust their serving temp after a complaint?

My brother told me the 2016 Ghostbusters was a fun update, but I finally watched it and... wow.

I saw a neighbor's kid get a 'smart' toy for his birthday that records everything he says. That's messed up.