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castelletta Author

Level 1

11 points

Poor Bluetooth reception and jerky mouse

I want to share my findings upon the poor reception of the internal Bluetooth module on my 2009 Mac Pro. The mouse in particular seems to suffer the most from the low BT signal.

It has to be said that if you succeed to place your Mac Pro in a particular position you can obtain optimal mouse reception. It seems that the field covered by BT signal is very irregular (due to the aluminum case?) and I think also altered by other metal objects that can exist on your desk (or inside/under you desk and his structure).

This can explain why some users tell of fantastic BT reception with their Mac Pro and others (majority) complain about awful Magic Mouse tracking.

In my situation I've been forced to plug-in a D-LINK DBT-120 dongle. It performs very well and maintain always connection with mouse and keyboard upon restart......unfortunately the same peripherals can't awake my Mac Pro during the sleep mode. A little uncomfortable (because you have to press the power button) and I thing very strange since this dongle is considered the only BT dongle fully supported from Apple.

I tried other dongles but all seem to lose connection. Some after restart, others after sleep mode.

For sure it's a shame that the most powerful and most expensive machine that Apple is selling right now is so badly performing in the BT compartment and it's more unforgivable since Apple seems to push very much their wireless peripherals.

Ok Apple, it's not easy to grant a powerful BT antenna in the metal case of the Mac Pro? Well please provide or support an external module that fully support all Mac OS functions (key selection on startup, wake on sleep ... etc) and consistently. I don't think it's a science fiction task.

I'm waiting your experimentation in placing your Mac Pro differently.

Please share your experiences....thank you

MacPro 2009 - 8 core, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Nov 12, 2009 8:05 AM

357 replies

Feb 19, 2010 11:30 AM in response to castelletta

2007 Mac Pro
Magic Mouse

I'm seeing the exact same issue. Jerky mouse, frequent disconnects, no precision, sluggish reaction. Sometimes. Sometimes it's just fine. Distance between mouse and Mac Pro about 5-10 inches, only separated by a wooden desk.

I already called Apple, and we went through some system cleanup including a complete reset of the bluetooth system, but no luck. After that they replaced my Magic Mouse, but the replacement acts exactly the same way.

Now I have bought the small 2009 bluetooth keyboard and even that is showing erratic keypresses.

I'm not in a good mood.

Holger_S

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2010 4:21 PM in response to castelletta

Hello dear all,

my apple wireless alu keyboard still works fine - only my magic mouse is not working correctly.

I can verify this problem Magic Mouse with MP '09 models in our local Apple traders store. The problem still exist. In fact, distance is not long, than Magic Mouse works...

Today I openend an Apple case id. Apple Support informed me, that I need to bring my MP '09 to a Apple service provider... Apple want to change my Airport/ BT modul. On my point of view this make no sense. I think, the replace will not work and so I aksed them for other solutions. There was no option offered.

On my point of view it is a sad story. I decided today after the call with Apple - this Magic Mouse is my last Apple desktop hardware product for the moment. I am not happy with this, but my next machine will not an Apple desktop. I do not need an iPad or something other, I only expected a fine working MP '09.

I am sorry, I am not a native speaker - but today I was really angry about this. Now I will buy in next days a USB dongle, hope that will helps. In this, which USB Bluetooth dongle is really fine?

Thank you
& best regards

Holger_S

skullcat

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2010 4:35 PM in response to Holger_S

Hi Holger_S,
I agree with you completely; and, my wireless keyboard also works just fine, it is JUST the magic mouse, and it only works fine occasionally; most time it is frustrating. The minute another company produces a clickless-mouse, I am replacing this magic mouse with it.

I would like Apple to recommend a USB Bluetooth dongle that will work with our Mac Pros AND correct the problems with our mouse. I don't want to spend all time researching what and where and how much, and what if it does not work?

MagicPrefs helps, but unfortunately the connection itself is constantly interrupted and the new settings cannot help that.

Feb 19, 2010 6:15 PM in response to castelletta

If you want the ultimate solution to poor Bluetooth performance on your Mac Pro do this ...

Install a 300mm U.fl - RP-SMA Bulkhead pigtail cable from the Bluetooth module to the back panel. It must be at least 300mm, no shorter (some of the eBay pigtails are not as long as advertised).

Remove an unused PCI blanking panel and drill a hole in it for the SMA connector to protrude through.

Get a small 2.4GHz SMA Wifi antenna and attach it to the back of your Mac Pro.

Now your Bluetooth has a proper antenna and great range. No more jittery Magic Mouse problems.

Guy

Holger_S

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2010 11:46 PM in response to castelletta

Hello castelletta,

Thank you for your information. This products is out of production, here in Germany yo can not buy this stick. Do you have another optional stick, that works really fine?

Best regards

Holger_S

...I am sorry, I am not a native speaker.

Holger_S

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2010 11:50 PM in response to GuyWittig

Hello GuyWitting,

I am sorry, I am not a hardware technician. So I think, I do not have this skill, to built this. Unfortuneatelly... If I will do not find a usb bluetooth stick, this may be an option.

On the other side - it is Apple's mistake. They must find a solution.

In time of PowerPC I decide, to use computers, not to build and to tinker anymore 😉

Thank you
& best regards

Holger

Mosaica

Level 1

5 points

Feb 21, 2010 5:41 AM in response to Holger_S

Holger,

Guten tag mein freund! Your English is fine. I recommend against taking in your MP. I have already done WAY MORE than that. As you probably know a fix is in the making, we just do not know how long. I am still keeping up on this issue myself. I certainly will post here when I find something out....

Holger_S

Level 1

0 points

Feb 21, 2010 2:21 PM in response to Mosaica

Hello Mosaica,

thank oyu - and your German is fine 🙂

And I am very interested in this fix. Hopefully this will come soon. I think to buy a bluetooth dongle is a quick & dirty solution, because I did pay for a fine working Mac Pro with Bluetooth.

If a Mac Pro will cost EUR 499,00 than I do not complain. Than I will use a bluetooth dongle and that is it. I am sorry, in fact the Mac Pro is a premium product - and to get this machine I paid a real premium price. So I only expect a real fine working machine.

After the audio-bug this is now a 2nd big thing, that still not work. I will do not recommend any Apple desktop hardware anymore. I am going to think different about Apple. I am not interested in an iphone or ipod or ipad. I am interested in a good working machine called Mac Pro.

Best regards

Holger_S

...I do apologize, I am not a native speaker.

Holger_S

Level 1

0 points

Feb 22, 2010 11:51 AM in response to Chris Marquardt

Hello dear all,

today I have bought a Belkin USB mini bluetooth adaptor (like the model in Apple store). After i put it in and repairing Magic Mouse and bt-keyboard, it is the same mouse problem... To buy a Mac OS X certificated dongles does not work? Is there a special way to install this dongle? In my opinion this is ridiculous...

By the way - without the dongles my Logitech DiNovo Bluetooth (the PC-modell with german layout) still works fine, the trackpad is fine working ... with the dongles in use the keyboard does not work coorect. So this Apple bluetooth and mouse problem is unbelievable. A third party keyboard is working fine without any dongles, does not work with a dongles and the Magic Mouse is not useable.

I decided today I will use my old usb wireless mouse (a fantastic Microsoft product) again. Microsoft is not able to produce many things well, but in the production of fine working mouses they did a better job than Apple.

So, Apple - come on - what must I do here to use your Magic Mouse fine and without any errors?

Best regards

Holger_S

... in the world of Apple I have seen many things not working, I am sorry, BT in Win works real fine. But ok, I learned - no use of the Magic Mouse with a Mac Pro is not a bug, it is a feature 😉

Feb 22, 2010 11:53 PM in response to Holger_S

Just figured this out: I'm a guitarist and had previously used old guitar strings as rigged antennas for quick fixes. I have a mighty mouse and thought why not try shoving a guitar string in where the Apple antenna would fit? Tried it and sure enough, my mouse instantly started working right. I don't really use anything else Bluetooth except my phone which I will try, but the instant huge improvement sold me on it. I used a fatter string (an A string) that fit snugly in the center next to the pin and then tied the rest of the string around a post on my desk.. Perfect!

Note that I have a Dual Processor G5 but from what I have read, this problem has been around since the G5s came out. Someone give it a try!

method1

Level 1

0 points

Feb 22, 2010 11:54 PM in response to castelletta

I bought the magic mouse and it just did not work with the mac pro, the usual stuttering etc.
I could not justify buying a dongle to get the mouse working, as many have mentioned, one expects more from Apple's supposed "top of the range" machines. Anyway long story short, I returned the MM for a refund after googling and realizing there is no fix without throwing more money at the problem.

vag

Level 1

4 points

Feb 23, 2010 7:49 AM in response to castelletta

I found in my drowers an old "microsoft InteliMouse Explorer" that has a USB Bluetooth dongle.
I pluged it in, restarted and after a new pairing with the Mouse everithing works perfect... so far.
To be honest I didnt think that the mouse would be able to see the microsoft dongle. But it did.

Another proof that the internal MacPro antena is the problem.

castelletta Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 23, 2010 9:18 AM in response to vag

I agree with you. When I started this thread I was thinking that the poor BT reception was the problem. Now I'm more and more sure that this is a hardware flaw.

I don't know (I'm not an engineer) if it's possible to maximize reception quality of the internal BT module only via software/driver update. If it's so it would be great....but....but...I fear that Apple has to send to us (Mac Pro owners) a little gift in the future (in the form of new BT module, new antenna, smart dongle etc) everything is welcome............if it only comes 😉

Mosaica

Level 1

5 points

Feb 23, 2010 9:55 AM in response to castelletta

External antenna.
I have tried that on the MP Early 2009 with no improvement at all. The MP case is not connected to the BT antenna. The BT antenna is connected to the back center of the case where the pci cards are installed, however. The BT antenna in this MP does differ from the earlier year computers.

Feb 25, 2010 11:03 AM in response to castelletta

Same to me here, MacPro1,1 2x 2,66 GHz.

Since I don't have an internel airport interface I don't have different antenna cables for workaround. Just one BT cable. I was using the MM today with my Macbook Pro and can confirm that MM is really working very, very well.

On my MacPro it drives me crazy. I moved my MacPro to different locations under my desk (now right hand side under my desk) and removed battery cover from MM. It works fine for a while and suddenly the problem is back.

Buying an external BT dongle may not be a solution after reading this thread. Or should I? Which one? DB-120/122 is outsold here in Germany 🙂 Are there any quality issues or is it OK just to buy the next available one?

Thank you (MM works fine since 13 minutes)

Poor Bluetooth reception and jerky mouse