tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1621902610555818962024-02-26T14:26:39.902-08:00Choate Custom Computers<br>Laser Engraving • 3D Printing • Linux Systems & Devices • Arcade/Sim/Retro-Gaming • Pi & ArduinoJohn Choatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834666253074309136noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-41237073643334307672023-08-28T16:30:00.000-07:002023-08-28T16:30:07.635-07:00Getting ready to offer new services<p> Soon to be available: laser engraving services!</p><p>I will soon be offering laser-engraved goods and services. Wooden & slate coasters, signs, small boxes, games and puzzles, metal business cards, etched glasses, etc.</p>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-63857906606942212392021-10-25T13:02:00.000-07:002021-10-25T13:02:09.288-07:00Working towards reopening <p> I am in the process of getting my business back up and running. I am not sure which direction it will take, but phone and tablet repair will not be part of it. Since I am out of touch with the windows operating system, I will likely not be offering repair services for that either. Right now I want to focus on computers being used for creativity and entertainment. There are plenty of other techs in the area that work on windows machines and office systems. </p>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-14718351972763962392021-08-31T11:46:00.003-07:002021-08-31T11:46:38.808-07:00<p> I have officially closed. Phone repairs are not for me and I've drifted too far away from using Windows to be of much use with that system. My day job takes my energy, leaving little enthusiasm for the repair business, etcetera.</p><p>I'm planning on re-starting some day with fresh ideas, but for now I'm closed.</p>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-40873047124255908272021-04-26T17:18:00.002-07:002021-04-26T17:18:18.052-07:00Working toward re-opening with new services.<p> I am working toward re-defining this business in 2021. It will still be Choate's Custom Computers, but with a new focus. Phone repairs will no longer be a regular service, due to lack of support for independent repair by the major phone manufacturers.</p><p>Repairs will be available for miscellaneous devices, including <i><b>some</b></i> phones and tablets.</p><p>PC services will focus less on Windows repair, and more on support for specific software and hardware. I will focus more on custom computing systems for specific tasks. Small, lightweight, and portable systems based on Linux, and Raspberry Pi will be more of a focus than Windows systems.</p><p>'Retro Arcade' systems will be supported, with services for building, configuring, and modifying multiple-system arcade machines.</p><p>Also offered will be some basic services for musical instruments, such as guitar setup, cleaning and repair.</p>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-46312064317390894122020-08-18T13:42:00.003-07:002020-08-18T13:42:35.493-07:00Starting to re-open<p> I'm getting things sorted and have moved my workbench and am finishing other projects. CCC can start taking clients again.</p>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-70435272563334589092020-06-29T13:19:00.001-07:002020-06-29T13:36:04.352-07:00With a few exceptions, I may stop replacing Li-ion batteries. If I had a proper workshop, things would be different, but I no longer want these batteries in/at my place of residence.<br />
I may even stop working on certain devices altogether. Some decisions need to be made before I do any official re-opening.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-30899821286722253212020-06-15T18:06:00.001-07:002020-06-15T18:26:12.763-07:00Broke my phone, ironically<span style="font-size: large;">My phone is broken until I can get a new screen for it. Please send any text messages or voice mail to: <b>707-397-5090</b></span>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-34075640776480151782020-05-18T22:08:00.001-07:002020-05-18T23:18:53.776-07:00Still Closed<b>STILL CLOSED</b> - I need to do some car repair and cannot drive beyond Mendo Village for the time being.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-29357629293379431562020-04-27T17:35:00.001-07:002020-04-27T17:35:21.318-07:00Re-organizingOver the next weeks I will be working on coming up with a reliable way to receive devices for repair, while being mindful of stay-in-place restrictions for all involved. Hopefully I will be able to get back to doing repairs soon.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-73081149112577860782020-03-20T16:05:00.000-07:002020-03-26T18:58:06.092-07:00CLOSED FOR NOW<b><u>CLOSED FOR NOW
</u></b>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>Due to the obvious reasons, I am closing my repair services until further notice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>EMERGENCY REPAIRS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FIRST RESPONDER AND CRITICAL SERVICE WORKERS ONLY</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Emergency repairs available will be limited to what will soon be listed below:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>iPhone Screens:</b></li>
</ul>
<ol><ul>
<li><b>SE x1 avail.</b></li>
<li><b>XS LCD x1<b> avail.</b> (cheap qual. compared to original) - last resort option only</b></li>
<li><b>6-regular x2</b><b> avail.</b></li>
<li>6S-regular x2<b> avail.</b></li>
<li>6+ x2<b> avail.</b></li>
<li>6S+ x2<b> avail.</b></li>
</ul>
<b>
</b></ol>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>iPhone Batteries:</b></li>
</ul>
<ol><ul>
<li><b>4 x1</b></li>
<li><b>4S x1</b></li>
<li><b>5C x1</b></li>
<li><b>SE x1</b></li>
<li><b>6 x1</b></li>
<li><b>6S x1</b></li>
<li>6+ x1</li>
<li>6S+ x2</li>
<li>7 x2</li>
<li>7+ x1</li>
<li>8 x1</li>
<li>8+ x1</li>
</ul>
<b>
</b></ol>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>iPhone Charge Ports:</b></li>
</ul>
<ol><ul>
<li><b>6 x1</b></li>
<li><b>6S x2</b></li>
<li><b>6+ x1</b></li>
<li><b>6S+ x3</b></li>
<li><b>7 x1</b></li>
</ul>
<b>
</b></ol>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Other iPhone parts:</b></li>
</ul>
<ol><ul><b>
<li><b>Speakers, cameras, misc. small parts for most 6 and 7 series phones</b></li>
</b></ul>
</ol>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hunker down, take care, and I'll see you on the flip-side.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>John </b>Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-15203942579580153532019-10-23T14:00:00.000-07:002019-10-24T11:41:30.251-07:00Limiting iphone repairsI am considering making some extreme limitations upon which iphone models I will work on and which jobs are available. 6/7/8 series iphones will have pretty much all repairs available, but as models get older (such as the 5S, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus), the parts will be available by order only.<br />
I have also decided to not work on "flagship" models (current best models) unless the owner has no other option. If the phone qualifies for warranty or insurance work, I will say to send it to the manufacturer.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-3073933304856959402019-10-23T13:53:00.000-07:002019-10-23T13:53:52.438-07:008/X/XS/XR series phones rear glass replacementConcerning rear glass (phones with a glass rear panel).<br />
If rear glass is in need of replacement on iPhone 8 and beyond, I will only order a new rear case with the glass and camera lens already installed. Replacing glass alone on these models is a complete pain in the ass. When chipping off the rear glass, these phones will likely receive cosmetic damage. Money and time will be saved by transferring the phone to a new chassis.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-85204850698895761382019-09-30T19:45:00.003-07:002019-09-30T19:45:34.835-07:00Refurbished original screens for the iPhone 11 series are becoming available on the repair market. Pricey, but available.<br />
No other parts yet for these phones are available and I do not work on them as of yet.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-70815402458472635282019-09-13T14:21:00.001-07:002019-09-13T14:21:29.576-07:00X and XR phones can now get lower cost LCD screensThanks to availability of LCD screens for the X and XR, I can now get new screens for $75-95 (+tax and labor). X and XR screen repairs can now be much more affordable.
New <u>aftermarket </u>OLED screens are also available. Refurbished OLED original (OEM) screens are also available at a premium price point. <u>Brand new</u> OLED OEM screens for the X/XR/XS series phones will not be available.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-90407981637285705812019-06-30T12:35:00.003-07:002019-06-30T12:35:28.031-07:00<b>Coming soon... Functional* replacement home buttons for iPhone 7/7+/8/8+ phones!</b>
Some phones get smashed in the home-button area of the screen, resulting in a physically damaged home button. Previous replacement buttons for the 7 and 8 series phones were for cosmetic function only. Now I can get functional* replacement home buttons, which restores home/return, long-press, slide-up, and double-tap functions to the button.
*With exception of secure-id.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-6584704800264086302019-06-30T12:20:00.000-07:002019-06-30T12:20:09.152-07:00ReviewsI had put up my 'reviews' page, where customers could post comments, only to take it down again. Once a review was posted, it was hard to read due to the page theme. The rating system was subscription-based if I wanted advanced features, such as custom themes/colors, etc. I was ok with that, but when their site messed up the new subscription process, I gave up.
I will add a ratings page when I get the issues sorted.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-67972210699270229342019-05-13T15:25:00.000-07:002019-05-13T15:25:03.231-07:00Some mild re-designs to the layout of the website are underway. Things may get weird for a while.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-91522936478446884122019-04-29T09:13:00.000-07:002019-04-29T09:13:14.179-07:00I am around today, and can work on devices. However, I am in the middle of replacing the starter motor in my car. I will be available later in the day, but will be dedicated to car repair until noon at the least.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-37016354517503798412019-04-22T15:47:00.004-07:002019-04-22T15:47:34.980-07:00Testing a re-design of the logo. I think I prefer it without the giant C :)Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-83633122604077457832019-04-22T15:16:00.001-07:002019-04-22T15:16:44.824-07:00Some re-arranging today. The right-column is now the left column, and the page width has been narrowed to 900 pixels. This should accommodate more mobile devices when displaying this page.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-67974995610863522962019-04-22T14:51:00.001-07:002019-04-22T14:51:51.913-07:00I have removed direct email links on my contacts page and on the main page as well. Looking at traffic stats, there was a sudden jump in traffic since the domain was repaired. In the last day alone, this page received half of the total traffic that it did all of last last month. This would be good news except for the fact that all of that new traffic is from China.
I need to avoid as much spamming and scamming of my service requests as is possible. So, alas, the direct links to email me have been changed to plain text with no at symbol.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-27324183521420909742019-04-21T18:33:00.001-07:002019-04-21T18:33:21.837-07:00If anyone is still having trouble reaching this web page with a particular web browser, they should clear the browsing history of that browser. Then this page should load properly.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-59517955403302355002019-04-21T00:42:00.000-07:002019-04-21T00:42:08.924-07:00Apparently, the way that my web domain linked to my Blogger website was using an old configuration. I missed any notices which would have alerted me to this. It should be fixed now, and hopefully the page will be back up soon.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-46795211338588271302019-04-20T15:19:00.001-07:002019-04-20T21:29:34.577-07:00Website downI'm working on trying to resolve an issue with my web domain. I have no idea what caused my page to go down. If you can read this, then it has been fixed.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162190261055581896.post-50976117368381258272019-01-06T17:58:00.002-08:002019-01-06T17:58:58.679-08:00FaceliftThe website has had a little facelift. I moved the left column of stuff over to the right and made the main post area wider. 'Contact Info' and 'About' pages were combined, and items for sale added to the 'Items for Sale' page.
Created a page for software links, which has no links yet. This page will have many links to free, open source, or otherwise cool software of which people may not be aware.
More to come.Choate Custom Computershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258540319117112911noreply@blogger.com