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Compare ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini on three risky PC problems

PartialEvidence: Screenshots or logsPosted Last checked

Gemini gave the safest PC advice in all three tests, while ChatGPT and Claude each got a safety answer wrong.

How to use this

  1. Tap Copy prompt.
  2. Open ChatGPT.
  3. Paste it into the message box.
  4. Replace anything in [CAPITAL LETTERS IN BRACKETS] with your own details.
  5. Send it, then read the answer before acting on it.
New to this? What's a prompt?

A prompt is the message you send to the AI tool. Copy the one on this page, put your own details where it asks, and read the answer before you act on it.

Prompt

Improved prompt

Our fuller version of the source's prompt, with fill-in details and rules, or one written to avoid what went wrong. Not tested by the poster.

What the prompt labels mean

Our fuller version of the person's prompt. They didn't use this version, and we haven't tested it.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about the details below and wait for my answers. Once I've answered, confirm the plan in one line and run the whole task start to finish.

Goal: Help me troubleshoot a computer problem safely, putting safety ahead of convenience.

Questions to ask me first:
- What exactly happens, and when did it start?
- What changed recently (new parts, cleaning, moving, a new power strip)?
- Is there any smell, smoke, heat, sparking or tripped breaker?

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- Computer and parts: [PC MODEL OR PARTS]
- What happens: [SYMPTOMS]
- Recent changes: [CHANGES]
- Warning signs: [SMELL / HEAT / BREAKER / NONE]

Rules:
- If there is a burning smell, smoke, sparking or a tripped breaker, tell me to turn it off and unplug it first, with a clear yes or no.
- Rank the likely causes from most to least likely and explain why in plain words.
- Start with checks that need no tools and no opening the case.
- Tell me when to stop and take it to a repair shop or electrician.
- Keep the answer short and in numbered steps.

Checkpoint: After the safety answer and the top 3 causes, stop and ask what I found before giving more steps.

If you get stuck: If you need more details to tell causes apart, ask one question at a time.

Verify before you finish: Check that the first step is the safe one and nothing tells me to keep running a PC that smells like burning.

Output: A yes/no safety answer, the top causes, then numbered checks.

Done when: I know whether it's safe to use and what to check or replace next.

Try this in:

ChatGPT Used in sourceGemini Used in sourceGrok Claude Used in source

This prompt has blanks to fill in, like [PC MODEL OR PARTS]. We'll copy it instead of filling it in, so you can edit it before you send.

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The prompt they actually used (our rebuild)

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

My PC started smelling like burning plastic, but it still turns on like normal. The smell seems worse when I play games. I recently installed a new GPU and cleaned my PC. What's going on, and is it OK to keep using it?

AI tools

ChatGPTClaudeGemini

Outcome

Monica J. White of How-To Geek gave ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini three staged PC problems in plain, non-techy language, to see what most people would get back. First, a new GPU that shut the PC off under heavy load: all three spotted the likely power supply or heat issue, but when asked whether it was safe to keep loading the PC, Gemini said no, ChatGPT said to avoid it, and Claude said it was alright. Second, a PC that smelled like burning plastic but still turned on: Claude and Gemini said to stop using it, while ChatGPT said it could probably keep being used without games. Third, a PC that tripped the room's breaker after a move to a new power strip: all three identified the likely cause, but Claude answered 'not indefinitely, no' when the answer should have been a firm no. Gemini gave the best answers in all three tests, though they were much longer than needed.

Evidence: Screenshots or logsThe source shows screenshots, a transcript or the AI's output.

Known limitations

PartialThe source says it only partly worked, or had a significant problem a person had to deal with.

What went wrong: All three found the likely causes, but ChatGPT said a PC smelling of burning plastic could keep being used, and Claude was too relaxed in two of the safety answers.

Source

Posted
by Monica J. White (How-To Geek)
Last checked
Method:
How we verify

https://www.howtogeek.com/i-asked-chatgpt-claude-and-gemini-to-fix-my-pc-and-only-one-gave-me-a-good-answer/

Context: If a computer smells like burning, smokes or trips a breaker, turn it off and unplug it before troubleshooting.

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