My Bluetooth Nightmare

c-ratch · 11-29-04, 04:41 PM

Ok. I'm pretty educated when it comes to computers. I'm no genius by any means, but I can hold a conversation. That being said, here I go.

I got my X50v two weeks ago. I got BT for GPS and networking capabilities. I purchase 2 WIDCOMM BT USB Dongles, one for my laptop (business usage) which I use Active Sync w/ my Axim. Then I have a desktop which has a printer and I use for personal usage.

I've installed the software exactly like the say to. I've done it 4 times on each computer. I'm still having issues.

Problems
1. I can't get Active Sync to sync via BT to my laptop.
2. I can't create a PAN w/ all three devices
3. I can't open the link on my desktop called "My Bluetooth Places"
4. I have a BT icon on the bottom right of the taskbar and it is blue and RED. When I right click it states "BLUETOOTH DEVICE NOT FOUND."

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I contacted Widcomm via email. www.widcomm.com

Thanks!

c-ratch · 11-29-04, 05:02 PM

I went through all the technical notes, but still can't fix it. WIDCOMM's Tech Support says it has something to do w/ Windows update SP.

Hmm....

Technical Note
Switching from Microsoft Driver
to WIDCOMM
Document # BTW-PROJ-TECHNOTES-040220-1200
February 20, 2004
Version 1.0
________________________________________________
WIDCOMM, Inc.
Wireless Internet and Data Communication
© Copyright 2000-2004. All rights reserved.
9645 Scranton Road, Suite 205
San Diego, CA 92121
Voice: (858) 453-8400 Fax: (858) 453-5735
Email : info@widcomm.com or support@widcomm.com
1 Intoduction
This document describes how to switch from the Microsoft driver to the WIDCOMM driver on
Windows XP so that the BTW Bluetooth software can be used with your Bluetooth USB device.
This problem may arise when installing the WIDCOMM Bluetooth software on Windows XP
SP1/SP2. When the device is first inserted the system attempts to locate a signed driver that will
work with the device. In this case the Microsoft driver is installed first if its Bluetooth driver
supports the device being installed.
2 Installing the WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver
2.1 CHECK TO SEE IF THE MICROSOFT DRIVER IS INSTALLED
The Device Manager can be opened by right clicking on the “My Computer” icon and selecting
the “Properties” menu option. When the Properties dialog appears select the “Hardware” tab
and then click the “Device Manager” button.
When Microsoft stack is in control then the Bluetooth Radios category is present in the Device
Manager as shown below, Figure 1. There will be 2/3 devices under that category, depending
on the implementation, these are:
• Bluetooth Printing Support
• Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator
• “Actual device”. (Example: NanoSira Bluetooth Reference Radio)
Figure 1
2.2 INSTALLING THE WIDCOMM BLUETOOTH DRIVER
From figure 1, highlight the “Actual Device”. Select “Action -> Properties” menu option. The
following dialog will appear as shown below, Figure 2.
Select Driver tab. Verify that the provider is Microsoft. Click the “Update Driver” button.
Figure 2
2.3 USING THE HARDWARE UPDATE WIZARD TO INSTALL THE WIDCOMM DRIVER
When the Hardware Update Wizard appears, Figure 3, we are now ready to install the
WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver.
Select “Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)” radio button and click on the
“Next” button to continue.
Figure 3
The following screen will now appear, Figure 4. Select "Don't search. I will choose the driver
to install" checkbox and click on the “Next” button to continue.
Figure 4
The following screen will now appear, Figure 5. This page provides the selection between
Microsoft and Widcomm provided drivers. Select the last device in the list and click on “Next”
button to continue.
Figure 5
The following screen will appear, Figure 6. Click the “Finish” button to complete the
installation.
Figure 6
2.4 VERIFY THE WIDCOMM DRIVER IS INSTALLED
Once the Hardware Update Wizard has completed successfully the following device properties
screen should appear as shown in Figure 7, below. If the WIDCOMM Driver installation was
successful the “Device Provider” will have changed to display WIDCOMM instead of
Microsoft as originally shown in Figure 2.
Figure 7
After clicking on the “Close” button in Figure 7 the Device Manager will appear. You will
notice that the “Bluetooth Radios” section has been removed and has been replaced with the
“Bluetooth Devices” section. This section only contains one entry for the WIDCOMM
Bluetooth driver. If your Device Manager looks similar, Figure 8, then the installation has been
successful. The Device manager can be closed and you can proceed to use the WIDCOMM
Bluetooth software.
Figure 8

11-29-04, 05:18 PM

shouda gotta hx4700

jfarr · 11-29-04, 05:29 PM

I have the Belkin BT adapter for my laptop, and I found that if you have XP with Service Pack 2 installed, the Belkin driver software is superfluous. XP-SP2 found the adapter and made it work perfectly, so I uninstalled the Belkin drivers. You may find that your situation is similar, and perhaps the Widcomm drivers are conflicting with XP.

Since it's far easier to uninstall Widcomm than SP2, this might be your best bet.

magnolia · 11-29-04, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by MACMANIA4U

shouda gotta hx4700

Shoulda gotten a Mac ;)

lillibelle · 11-30-04, 10:48 AM

My BT USB dongle works fine with XP. I do not have SP2, though, so you might try just using the Windows drivers as suggested above. I have experienced the red icon--sometimes just taking the dongle out and reinserting it fixes this. Other times I have rebooted the computer, and I have even reinstalled the software. Lately it has given me no problems.

I have successfully used Active Sync over BT with an X5 and an X30. In those cases, however, I had to change the port assignments in the connection settings in AS. The X50v, however, will not connect because AS keeps telling me that the device is not a PPC. I am beginning to wonder whether or not I should connect it by cable first and then try the BT connection. I have no trouble with file transfer or other BT services.

blowback · 11-30-04, 10:59 AM

The Widcomm drivers are a total crock - I always used to have grief with them. Upgraded to XPSP2 tho, uninstalled all the proprietary shite, and just let windows roll its own. Works like a charm.

stela · 04-24-05, 03:50 AM

C-ratch thank you for posting this info, I was wrestling with exactly same problem with XP SP2 & Widcomm bluetooth. Now it works, thanks to you!

stumonster · 04-25-05, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by lillibelle

I have experienced the red icon--sometimes just taking the dongle out and reinserting it fixes this. Other times I have rebooted the computer, and I have even reinstalled the software. Lately it has given me no problems.

similar experience with my widcomm usb dongle , though I use win2kpro.

I did have my BT play up about a month ago , my BT (jabra) headset stopped working as a mic - so I de-installed the usb software(checked I had the latest drivers downloaded) and re-installed and it works fine again.
make sure when you install that you do it as per the instructions - ie. start the installation and only when it askes you to insert the dongle, do it then.

briga · 04-25-05, 03:15 AM

Hi
I had the same problem.
If you use SP2 on XP, you will have that kind of problem. SP blocks your BT drivers from loading.
First. Unplug BT device
Second uninstall drivers and applications from widcom
third restart
4- install drivers (do not plug bt) click confirm on certification question (crushial)
5- restart
6- plug in bt

if that does not help try changing usb port (i do not know why but i have the same problem if I use frontside USB)

Nogeek · 05-28-05, 05:51 PM

I have read all the comments with interest. I have just spent 2 days solid trying to get my dongle to work with xp. The problem is xp installs the generic driver when you first connect the dongle. EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE INSTALLED THE Widcomm DRIVER…. You have to force your pc to use the driver that came you’re your CD. The method is easy and I have copied a pdf from another forum that clearly explains it.
http://www.bluetake.com/Manua[....]tionGuide_WindowsXP-SP2_EN.pdf

Now although I have managed to sort the driver problem and my BT headset is paired with my pc, when I connect to the headset I just get a continuous 4 bar tone coming from the headset. Nothing else works.

Any suggestions???

mole734 · 07-29-05, 09:42 AM

Foxed me for a while too, just press the answer button on your head set! :)