By Colin McBride

 

Byte is a unit of digital information, and while most agree that San Diego does not bite — check the weather, the scenery, the seasons — we do rely on bytes here. 

 

San Diegans’s use of computer devices is as ubiquitous as our car culture. And like our cars, our data-driving machines sometimes breakdown. That’s when we scramble for a reliable and honest mechanic. 

 

“People rely on their computers day-to-day and some people feel lost without them,” said Shannon Isselhardt, owner of SD Bytes computer repair in Grantville. “So, I try to turn them around as fast as I can but keep them in the loop so they know what is going on.” 

 

Located near the crossroads of Mission Gorge I-8, at 10433 Friars Road, those who bring their computer-repair needs to SD Bytes eventually square up with similar five-star Google reviews: 

“Shannon went above and beyond our expectations … “ — Gil A. 

“The owner of SD Bytes is skilled, talented, honest and ethical.” — Bruce L.

“I have had the opportunity to use Shannon for both personal and business computer issues … I highly recommend … He is extremely reliable and, most importantly, honest.” — Stacey B.

“Great customer service! Awesome decor!!” — George T.

 

Another thing customers of SD Bytes would all agree on is Shannon’s style. His curated collection of antique tools, typewriters, signage, and even a Wurlitzer jukebox, makes visiting SD Bytes a cultural experience, like a visit to a museum exhibit or a cool diner.  

 

“I designed my shop to be like an old ’50s garage,” said Isselhardt. “My thinking was, computer garage with old tools and art mixed in with new technology. I wanted to stand out from all the other computer repair shops and it just so happens that this is also what I’m really interested in … hot rods and antiques.”

 

How interested? Every year, Isselhardt packs up his five-window Chevy pickup and heads to Nevada for the Viva Las Vegas meetup event to celebrate all things cool. It’s an annual analog tribute to the classic character of post-war era.

 

Back to today’s digital era, Isselhardt has gone all-out to make his very own tribute to Americana, decking the walls of SD Bytes with lovingly selected art and hand-me-downs from his own family. So in a way, Isselhardt has become a high-tech grease monkey.

“My dad influenced my aesthetic taste by way of  his music, which was Johnny Cash, older country music, and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll,” Isselhardt said. “And my aunt and uncle always had old hot rods, and taught me how to work on my car.”

 

Isselhardt’s passion for such rockabilly sensibilities is matched only by his work ethic. Excellent customer service is only part of it. His computer troubleshooting experience goes back a few decades. 

 

“This wasn’t my first job. When I was 19 years old working for a professional photographer, I had to build a Windows machine to test the digital download from the new digital Nikon camera,” he said. “I believe NASA used the same camera model on the first space shuttle expedition.”

 

Since then, Isselhardt has positioned himself among the dozens of San Diego repair shops with a reputation for honesty and integrity. He also has become an expert on fixing everything from cracked phone screens, liquid damaged laptops to saving otherwise lost files on bad hard drives. 

 

“There isn’t any computer-related repair that I haven’t been able to fix,” Isselhardt said. “The only reason something wouldn’t get repaired is if the customer declined repairs due to the cost of the parts, or I suggested that it wasn’t worth it. My attention to detail and taking the time needed to get the repairs done properly and in the most cost effective way really sets me apart,” he said. 

 

Building custom hot rods isn’t much different from another specialty of Isselhardt’s. Custom gaming machines, water cooled like so many V-8s, have become very popular. Building these demanding computers is an emerging hobby, and many local gamers have found SD Bytes to be their go-to resource for fair and reasonable service.

 

“There are a lot of companies who build custom PCs but they overcharge everyone and up sell for hardware the customers typically don’t ever use,” said Isselhardt. “We can work with just about any budget and will never sell them something they won’t use or need. 

“If you’re a basic gamer who plays on the weekends you don’t need a $6,000 PC, we can make you a custom machine that will fit your needs and save you money in the long run.”

 

Interest in community is another Isselhardt virtue. Owing much to his own daughters’s involvement in school and scouting, SD Bytes gives a lot back to the youth around him.

“I have two girls (ages of 7 and 10) and both are in the Girl Scouts. That is how I opened my doors to the Girl Scouts learning that they have a computer badge that they can earn. I have always enjoyed helping others almost to a fault sometimes as I feel I do more free work out of my shop than charging people.

 

 

******************

From Shannon: 

 

This wasn’t my first job, I was 19 years old and we had to build a Windows machine to test the digital download from the new digital Nikon camera. I believe Nasa I did use the camera on the space shuttle.”

 

There isn’t any computer-related repair that I haven’t been able to fix. The only reason it wouldn’t get repaired is if the customer declined repairs due to the cost of the parts or I suggested that it wasn’t worth it.

 

My dad influenced my aesthetic taste by his music which was Johnny Cash, older country music and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. Other members of my family also contributed to my aesthetic tastes like my Aunt and Uncle who always had old hot rods and taught me how to work on my car. My work ethic also comes from my dad who has always pushed us to earn our own money and taught us the importance of being a good and hard worker. My dad is in his 70’s and is still working today.

 

I designed my shop to be like an old ’50s garage …  my thinking was, computer garage with old tools and technology mixed in with new technology. I wanted to stand out from all the other computer repair shops and it just so happens that this is also what I am really interested in 40s and 50s hot rods and antiques. I always say that I was born in the 30s and probably died hot rodding in the 50s. I also have a 1950s five window Chevy truck that I drive around.

 

I have two girls the ages of 7 and 10 and they both are in the Girl Scouts. That is how I opened my doors to the Girl Scouts learning that they have a computer badge that they can earn. I have always enjoyed helping others almost to a fault sometimes as I feel I do more free work out of my shop than charging people. If I could repair computers and help people for free I would but seeing that I live in San Diego married with two children I have to earn some sort of income so I can live in this wonderful city and try to give my children a decent upbringing.

 

My attention to detail and taking the time needed to get the repairs done properly and in the most cost effective way really sets me apart. I also try to stay in touch with my customers on almost a daily basis. People rely on their computers day-to-day and some people feel lost without them so I tried to turn them around as fast as I can but keep them in the loop so they know what is going. I keep my prices at a very competitive rate as the majority of my customers I know don’t have a lot of money to just go out and buy a new computer so I tried to be as fair as possible with everyone. All of my customers reviews on yelp and on Google are great testimonials to my work.

 

There are a lot of companies who build custom PCs but they overcharge everyone and up sell for hardware the customers typically don’t ever use. We can work with just about any budget and will never sell them something they won’t use or need. If you’re a basic gamer who plays on the weekends you don’t need a $6,000 PC, we can make you a custom machine that will fit your needs and save you money in the long run.