Bluetooth problems and timemachine?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Bluetooth problems and timemachine?

I've encountered problems with my wireless keyboard/mouse and it seams there's a kind of interference with Time Machine.

Every time Time Machine starts up both wireless keyboard and mouse give problems. The normal keyboard and trackpad keeps working fine.

After disconnecting/connecting everything works fine until Time Machine starts again (every hour).

I hoped the software update for bluetooth would have solved the problem, but it didn't.

BTW I have no problems with my wireless internet connection, which is through Time Capsule.

Any ideas how to solve this?

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.5.7), Time Capsule

Posted on Jun 21, 2009 1:27 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 21, 2009 7:18 AM in response to Chris Dees

Hello chris:

FWIW, that is a new one on me! I use BT devices on both my computers with Firewire external drives and have not experienced that problem.

I cannot think of why TM starting would cause a problem. You mentioned Time Capsule (which I do not have). Is that where your Time Machine backups are placed?

In any event, try trashing a preference file (com.apple.bluetooth.plist) and then restarting.

Barry

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Answer 2

Naushad

Level 1

8 points

Jun 27, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

I've been having the same problem ever since I bought a Time Capsule a year or so ago. Anytime Time Machine backs up to my Time Capsule (via wireless n), my mighty mouse slows down dramatically and is much less responsive. I also have issues where my bluetooth mouse (and sometimes keyboard) just get disconnected and then reconnect. The keyboard and trackpad on the computer work fine at all times.

I thought these problems may be because my computer was too slow. I just bought a new MacBook Pro 17" last week with 3.06 Ghz and am having the same problem. I migrated to the new computer so there must be something in the operating system causing this problem. I tried your suggestion of deleting the com.apple.bluetooth.plist file and restarting but that did not solve the problem.

Any other ideas?

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Answer 3

Chris Dees Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 30, 2009 2:25 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

I don't think it's Time Machine / Time Capsule either but it's a kind of interference from the WiFi (that's how I use TM/TC). Because it always happens when TM is started I thought that would be the problem.

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Answer 4

Naushad

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2009 7:05 PM in response to Chris Dees

I went to the Apple Store today and asked them about this problem. They gave me a solution that worked for me. They said the wifi and bluetooth signals are interfering with each other. When the wifi data transfer gets heavy (ie. during time machine backup to time capsule), then the bluetooth signals get choppy.

The solution was to go to Airport Utility and select the Time Capsule. Select manual setup and take a look at the channel being used. Mine was on 2 (automatically selected). I took it off auto and set it to channel 1 instead. After doing so earlier today I have not experienced any more mouse issues.

Hope this help you to. Good luck.

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Answer 5

Chris Dees Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 2, 2009 7:17 AM in response to Naushad

Thanks for helping out.
I've found two different (radio) channels;
5 Ghz with channels 36, 40, 44, 48 (36 is selected)
2.4 Ghz with channel 1 thru 13 (1 is selected)
I changed to 48 and 13, lets see what happens.
At least the internet is working 🙂

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Answer 6

shoden

Level 1

4 points

Jul 2, 2009 8:30 AM in response to Chris Dees

I think the issue is Time Machine itself. I Don't use a time capsule but my BT mighty mouse dies when Time Machine kicks in. I have to disconnect and reconnect.

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