Macbook Bluetooth Hardware Not Found Issue -- RESOLVED.
This issue had been annoying me for full 12 months. I knew this issue long time ago but I was hoping a software patch could fix it so I didn't have to bring it for service.
The symptom was almost the same as everybody else: Randomly bluetooth hardware not found-- in both Mac Os and windows. No pattern of disappearing was observed. Just sudden appear or disappear.
Lately, I was too stupid to notice that the warranty was expired but this defect still had not been rectified. End up too sad and wanted to sell this piece of plastic. But was thinking, who's gonna buy a defective notebook no matter how new it is.
Then I ended up picking up a screwdrive and deassemble the unit myself as the warranty was expired anyway.
I followed a website which illstruated how to deassemble the unit STEP-BY-STEP until I could see the tiny bluetooth module. You would see the module is 'glued' on the bottom of the upper right of the plastic case with 2 3-4inches long wires which one of them connecting an antenna located on the DVD drive; and the other one linking to 4pins on the logic board (believed to be USB port).
The abovementioned 2nd cord connecting to the USB port traveled a LONG LONG way along with some power cable for CPU fan; data cord for DVD drive and harddrive; and somemore but I forgot which. Then I analyzed the symptom of sudden appear/disappear is due to two reaons: bad wire connection; or interference with other cable (as mentioned, it traveled a long way)
I carefully disconnected the cable and reconnected again and made sure it was tightly connected. Then I isolate the bluetooth port cable which were tied up together with other wires and reroute it in order to avoid interference w/ other cables.
Before I put all the screws back again, I turned on the computer and ran it for for 5 hours -- tried in windows and Mac OS with all applications and bluetooth file exchange/ data connection etc. Guess what -- Bluetooth worked flawlessly. Then I reassemble the whole unit again and the issue didn't happen.
My assumption was right that: most likely the senstive bluetooth device cable connecting the module and the logic board was interfered by other cables with huge current flow or electromagnetic; or simply the cable is not tightly plugged.
< Edited by Host, No personal information please. >
The symptom was almost the same as everybody else: Randomly bluetooth hardware not found-- in both Mac Os and windows. No pattern of disappearing was observed. Just sudden appear or disappear.
Lately, I was too stupid to notice that the warranty was expired but this defect still had not been rectified. End up too sad and wanted to sell this piece of plastic. But was thinking, who's gonna buy a defective notebook no matter how new it is.
Then I ended up picking up a screwdrive and deassemble the unit myself as the warranty was expired anyway.
I followed a website which illstruated how to deassemble the unit STEP-BY-STEP until I could see the tiny bluetooth module. You would see the module is 'glued' on the bottom of the upper right of the plastic case with 2 3-4inches long wires which one of them connecting an antenna located on the DVD drive; and the other one linking to 4pins on the logic board (believed to be USB port).
The abovementioned 2nd cord connecting to the USB port traveled a LONG LONG way along with some power cable for CPU fan; data cord for DVD drive and harddrive; and somemore but I forgot which. Then I analyzed the symptom of sudden appear/disappear is due to two reaons: bad wire connection; or interference with other cable (as mentioned, it traveled a long way)
I carefully disconnected the cable and reconnected again and made sure it was tightly connected. Then I isolate the bluetooth port cable which were tied up together with other wires and reroute it in order to avoid interference w/ other cables.
Before I put all the screws back again, I turned on the computer and ran it for for 5 hours -- tried in windows and Mac OS with all applications and bluetooth file exchange/ data connection etc. Guess what -- Bluetooth worked flawlessly. Then I reassemble the whole unit again and the issue didn't happen.
My assumption was right that: most likely the senstive bluetooth device cable connecting the module and the logic board was interfered by other cables with huge current flow or electromagnetic; or simply the cable is not tightly plugged.
< Edited by Host, No personal information please. >
Macbook 1st Gen 2.0ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 2gig Ram Dual Channel. Otherwise original
