Testing A Bluetooth Module

ntluser · 15-05-2008, 18:57

I have an Asus F3JC Laptop which contains a Bluetooth module.

I have been using it with a Bluetooth mouse but it no longer seems to be working after months of satisfactory usage.

I cannot find anything to check in the Device Manager.

I have re-installed the Bluetooth Stack for Windows but it does not appear to have any effect.

Is there a way to test or re-activate a Bluetooth module?

Or will I have to replace it?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

ceedee · 15-05-2008, 20:08

You should find a Bluetooth Configuration and Bluetooth Devices tools in the Control Panel.

Silly question but you've replaced the batteries, I presume?

ntluser · 15-05-2008, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceedee;

You should find a Bluetooth Configuration and Bluetooth Devices tools in the Control Panel.

Silly question but you've replaced the batteries, I presume?

Yes,thanks, I replaced the batteries first of all.

I can't find a Bluetooth Configuration and Bluetooth Devices tools in the Control Panel.

There's usually a .cpl file for this. I wonder if I can get a copy and install it?

LSainsbury · 15-05-2008, 20:21

Sill question - have you disabled it using a switch on the laptop per chance? Also - wireless and bluetooth are sometimes combined so if you've switch off the WLAN you also switch off the bluetooth.

ceedee · 15-05-2008, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntluser

Yes,thanks, I replaced the batteries first of all.

I'd have felt an idiot suggesting you get the monkey wrench out before checking the most obvious thing first!

Quote:

I can't find a Bluetooth Configuration and Bluetooth Devices tools in the Control Panel.

There's usually a .cpl file for this. I wonder if I can get a copy and install it?

Maybe you've got 'em already but they're 'hiding'?
I'm pretty sure that I had to use TweakUI to 'reveal' their presence in the Control Panel.
The two files are "btcpl.cpl" and "bthprops.cpl".

ntluser · 15-05-2008, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceedee;

I'd have felt an idiot suggesting you get the monkey wrench out before checking the most obvious thing first!

Maybe you've got 'em already but they're 'hiding'?
I'm pretty sure that I had to use TweakUI to 'reveal' their presence in the Control Panel.
The two files are "btcpl.cpl" and "bthprops.cpl".

No problem.

Using TweakUI, it lists bthprops.cpl but not btcpl.cpl. However, neither appears in the control panel window when I display it.

My wireless and bluetooth have a combined switch which is in the on position however when I turn it on the bluetooth part of the icon displayed has a red cross on it.

It seems to me that either the module is damaged or is not connected to the operating system in some way.

ceedee · 15-05-2008, 21:46

In Device Manager, select View and enable "Show Hidden Devices" and check under Non-Plug and Play Devices for something about bluetooth?
If it's there, check the name of the bluetooth protocol?
(Mine was called btkrnls.sys and it resides in the c:\windows\system32\drivers directory)

If there's no sign, I suspect it's time to start from scratch and install a new bluetooth stack. You can download Broadcom's version (used to be Widcomm) from their website.

ntluser · 16-05-2008, 09:43

Thanks for the posts,guys.

I tried the Broadcom site but when I attempted an installation it said that it was unable to detect a bluetooth module. Looks like my module has gone belly up.

Anyone know a good site for buying a new Bluetooth module please?

ceedee · 16-05-2008, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntluser

I tried the Broadcom site but when I attempted an installation it said that it was unable to detect a bluetooth module. Looks like my module has gone belly up.

Yeah, sorry. The Broadcom site download is only to update an existing BT installation.

I notice that Asus' website has an up-to-date Bluetooth driver for Vista available (Warning: it's a very slow 26MB download) and you might find these instructions useful (even though they're for XP sp2).

Quote:

Anyone know a good site for buying a new Bluetooth module please?

Not sure what you mean by "module" -- might be easier to buy a new (non-bt) mouse?

**Graham M** · 16-05-2008, 13:54

It's probably a Mini-PCI card

hoggie · 16-05-2008, 17:39

my acer took a light knock two weeks ago and my bluetooth stop working and when i pressed the bluetooth button it showed no device.
i took the the small cover off and found it had moved. i slight push backinto the pci socket and all was working.
but as you have found it also stopped showing in device manager.
before you open the bay make sure you have the battery removed and the mains power off,

ntluser · 17-05-2008, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoggie

my acer took a light knock two weeks ago and my bluetooth stop working and when i pressed the bluetooth button it showed no device.
i took the the small cover off and found it had moved. i slight push backinto the pci socket and all was working.
but as you have found it also stopped showing in device manager.
before you open the bay make sure you have the battery removed and the mains power off,

Thanks for your advice, Hoggie. However, I found that the module was unfortunately firmly in place and even though I gave it a nudge nothing happened.