Bluetooth blues

[marlene]

I got a Bluetooth mouse for my MacBook, and I'm finding that it keeps disconnecting. Do I have a bad mouse (it's used), or is there some setting on the MacBook that I need to tweak? FWIW, I did replace the batteries in the mouse.

I think the Bluetooth thingy on the Mac is functioning properly -- I was actually able to connect my cell phone to the Mac and copy all of the blurry, low-rez photos I'd shot with the phone. I'd been trying to figure out how to do that for months.

mxh

[Mike]

Does it disconnect while you're using it or just when the Mac goes to sleep?

Which OS version are you using?

[Robin Springall]

Looks like a common problem. (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1731120&tstart=0)

[Howard Allen]

Looks like a common problem.

Yikes! That brings back memories of the "Disappearing Peripherals Syndrome" that came with early implementations of USB (my PowerBook G3/Lombard under OS 8.6 was chronically afflicted). It took a few OS upgrades before the problem finally disappeared.

[Robin Springall]

Yikes! That brings back memories of the "Disappearing Peripherals Syndrome" that came with early implementations of USB.It's back - I know two people who've lost use of an HP scanner with Windows 7. One upgraded from Vista, the other bought a new PC with 7 installed, and they both now come to me for scanning.

There's a rumour that I created the bug to pay for my scanner :)

[Steve Rindsberg]

Wot? Howard's Mac bug has migrated to Windows? We're going to HAVE to talk to The Bill about this "Innovation? Who needs innovation? We'll just copy Apple." business.

[Howard Allen]

Wot? Howard's Mac bug has migrated to Windows? We're going to HAVE to talk to The Bill about this "Innovation? Who needs innovation? We'll just copy Apple." business.

At least if they "just copy Apple" they should have the good sense to copy something more recent than OS 8.6! :p

[marlene]

Hmmm. I don't remember if it only disconnects when the Mac is napping. I'll have to pay more attention.

The OS is whatever the latest was before Snow Leopard. I haven't dared to install Snow Leopard yet.

mxh

[marlene]

Well, I'm not sure I have much energy for troubleshooting. Maybe I should just get a wireless mouse with one of those stubby little USB thingies instead of trying to make the Bluetooth work.

mxh

[Benwiggy]

Marlene,
Is it an Apple BT mouse, or third-party?
I think that the "stubby USB things" work by Bluetooth, also!
No courage is required to install Snow Leopard. It's had the highest take-up rate of any version of OS X, and the fewest problems.

<rant>
I have to say that I really DON'T want Bluetooth wireless peripherals. I don't want to have to keep buying (or faffing about with recharging) batteries, just to have my keyboard and mouse work.

Wireless Internet? Lovely. I can have my laptop anywhere in the house. Bluetooth connection with my phone? Fine, I don't need to plug my phone into the computer for the 2 mins that it takes to sync the two.

But the keyboard and mouse will always be immediately in front of my computer. I'm not going to wander off around the house, holding the keyboard and mouse.

I'm all for reducing cabling. I've had the devil of a job trying to get USB cables that were 1m in length. All the shops sell only 2m, 4m and 8m. What USB device needs to be 8m away from the computer....?

I'm also currently delighted that 3 pieces of hardware attached to my machine all draw their power from FireWire or USB, reducing the clunky transformer plugs under my desk.
</rant>

IIRC, there have been problems with Bluetooth keyboards not being recognised early enough to perform the "startup keypress" options on OS X, i.e. C for CD, <alt> to show all devices; other commands for PRAM zapping, single user boot, "extensions off", etc, etc.

[ktinkel]

<rant>
I have to say that I really DON'T want Bluetooth wireless peripherals. I don't want to have to keep buying (or faffing about with recharging) batteries, just to have my keyboard and mouse work.I’m with you, especially regarding keyboards. I go back and forth on the wireless mouse. Its battery lasts fairly long, and I hate the way the cable gets hung up. On the other hand, wirelessness adds complexity.

So I go back and forth.

[terrie]

kt: I go back and forth on the wireless mouse. Its battery lasts fairly long, and I hate the way the cable gets hung up.I had always been reluctant to try a wireless mouse but when I got my new system with my new LCD panel, I quickly discovered that my old mouse just wouldn't cut it because of the higher resolution on the LCD panel--I'd had a 19" CRT with a much lower res.

I ended up buying a cordless mouse and I'm very pleased with it--it's a Logitech. The batteries (AAA) do last quite a long time--6-8months--and the USB (it is USB not Bluetooth) "antenna" is small and unobtrusive sitting at the back edge of my desk. So far, I've had no problems with it...

Terrie

[ktinkel]

As I say, I go back and forth on whether I like the wireless mouse.

What I know is that a wireless keyboard is not worth the trouble. Sigh.

[terrie]

kt: What I know is that a wireless keyboard is not worth the trouble. Sigh.LOL! I never considered a wireless keyboard...it was nice having a mouse without a tail but a tail on the keyboard isn't a problem...'-}}

Terrie

[ktinkel]

LOL! I never considered a wireless keyboard...it was nice having a mouse without a tail but a tail on the keyboard isn't a problem...'-}}I got mine for my laptop, and I chose wireless because it sounded interesting and I didn’t have anything like that. Now I know better.

[annc]

I got mine for my laptop, and I chose wireless because it sounded interesting and I didn’t have anything like that. Now I know better.I also got a wireless keyboard for my first laptop. And a wireless Wacom, which was useless because I had to leave the power cord on the desk to keep charging it. And as it died at inconvenient times, I ended up keeping it plugged in permanently. It also had to be turned on manually after starting the computer, and kept losing contact.

So when I got the new laptop a couple of weeks ago, it was one of the nice aluminium keyboards and a Wacom Bamboo. Both have cords and I love them both.

[marlene]

I love my Logitech wireless USB mouse. The batteries last a long time, and they give notice when they are weakening -- a blinking light (red, IIRC).

I have the matching Logitech wireless keyboard, which I also love. The batteries last a really long time in that.

mxh

[marlene]

My wireless keyboard has been peachy. The batteries last a really long time, maybe for about a year. I think I've only replaced them twice since I got the keyboard and mouse.

And it's so much easier to take a wireless keyboard over to the wastebasket and shake it upside down to get rid of the cracker crumbs!

mxh

[marlene]

It's a Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000. I got it used, with no documentation, but the MS web site says it works with Macs.

Mr. Excitement gave me a Kensington Bluetooth USB Micro Adapter, but I checked their web site and it doesn't say it'll work with a Mac. I'm trying it anyway, since I already opened the package, but I suspect it won't do anything. I think it's meant for computers that don't have their own built-in Bluetooth anyway.

If I can't get the MS Bluetooth mouse to work, I'll abandon the Bluetooth idea and look for a wireless USB mouse with a little stubby sender, or whatever those doohickeys are called. A wired mouse would be my last resort.

mxh

[Mike]

I love my Apple bluetooth mouse. When I got the new MacBook Pro I tried using it without the mouse but after a week I gave up and went back to the mouse.

And I've just discovered that if I use the scroll button with the control key pressed the whole screen zooms in and then scrolls when the mouse reaches the edge of the screen. What a great idea for those times when I can't find my reading glasses.

[terrie]

marlene: and they give notice when they are weakening -- a blinking light (red, IIRC).Mine pops up a message on my screen saying "batteries are low" and I hustle my butt to the kitchen to get two AA batteries...'-}}

Terrie

[marlene]

Mine pops up a message on my screen saying "batteries are low"

Awesome! Did you have to install Logitech software to make that happen?

mxh

[marlene]

Is yours one of those smooth flat mice? I need one that fits my hand better.

I ended up using a litte Microsoft USB notebook mouse. Works fine, I just would have preferred one with a less sticky-outy USB adapter thingy (this one is about the size of a thumb/flash drive).

mxh

[terrie]

marlene: Awesome! Did you have to install Logitech software to make that happen?I was going to say no but then I realized that I did install the Logitech software so...maybe yes? '-}}


>>Is yours one of those smooth flat mice? I need one that fits my hand better.

Well...I don't know how flat it is...I have relatively small hands and I don't find this mouse uncomfortable...I always buy a mouse locally because I want to be able to see how it would fit my hand...I bought this at MicroCenter...

Terrie