MB core 2 duo 2.4ghz - Bluetooth: Not Available

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Level 1

82 points

MB core 2 duo 2.4ghz - Bluetooth: Not Available

I have a MB Pro 17 inch core 2 duo 2.4 Ghz. Bluetooth used to work but stopped sometime after installing snow leopard (after 1 of the updates). The icon is in the menu but when you click on it, it says "Bluetooth: Not Available". I have run Hardware Test and it did not have any errors.

I copied the harddrive to an external drive, took the opportunity to install a new larger HD. Then I installed snow leopard from the DVD (original version when it first shipped), migrated my apps and files back and then ran Software Update. It is now at version 10.6.5.

System Profiler for Bluetooth says No Information Found. Bluetooth does not show up in System Preferences either.

If I go to Help and type in Bluetooth and then choose "setting up bluetooth connections" I get a choice to click on "Open Bluetooth Preferences". When I click it I get an Error that says "The item can not be opened. It may be disabled or not installed. 2 param error"

How do I get Bluetooth back?

G5 and MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 25, 2010 11:15 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 26, 2010 2:30 AM in response to Rick Wilson

Hello Rick:

Be sure Bluetooth is turned on (system preferences>bluetooth.

Try resetting the SMC and PRAM (instructions for both in knowledge base articles).

Barry

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Answer 2

Rick Wilson Author

Level 1

82 points

Nov 26, 2010 10:09 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Barry Hemphill wrote:
Hello Rick:

Be sure Bluetooth is turned on (system preferences>bluetooth.

Try resetting the SMC and PRAM (instructions for both in knowledge base articles).

Barry

There isn't an icon in the System Preferences for bluetooth.

Tried resetting the SMC - no change after reboot. Then tried resetting the PRAM - no change after reboot.
Deleted the bluetooth file in Library/Preferences - still no change after reboot.

I really need to get this working. Any other suggestions?

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Answer 3

Nov 27, 2010 2:26 AM in response to Rick Wilson

Hello again:

The things that I suggested (that you tried) usually address the missing BT (no help to you).

It is possible that the Bluetooth hardware has failed. If you are near an Apple store, you might take the computer to a "genius" for diagnosis.

Barry

P.S. When you get a chance, please update your profile (you indicated you are running OS X 10.6)

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Answer 4

Rick Wilson Author

Level 1

82 points

Nov 27, 2010 5:41 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Thanks. I'll take it in. Any idea what they might charge since it is out of warranty?

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Answer 5

Nov 27, 2010 6:46 AM in response to Rick Wilson

Hi Rick:

As I understand it (I have not taken my computer to a store), if you make an appointment with a genius, that time is free. If they cannot fix the problem then, I believe they give the customer an estimate of charges.

Barry

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Answer 6

Rick Wilson Author

Level 1

82 points

Nov 27, 2010 9:49 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

I didn't mention that the USB port on the right side of the Mac doesn't work either. The mac doesn't recognize it and it doesn't even pass power (for charging). Could that be related?

Are they possibly connect close together inside the computer? The computer was worked on by Apple awhile back (don't remember if it was before or after losing bluetooth and the USB port). Could they possibly have not plugged something back in? Or not well and it worked lose? I don't even know if I lost bluetooth and the USB port at the same time.

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Answer 7

Nov 27, 2010 12:24 PM in response to Rick Wilson

Hi Rick:

Bluetooth uses some of the USB hardware - how, I do not know. I suspect that the non-working port is probably at the root of your problem. If you click on USB in the system profiler, Bluetooth should be a sub-entry under one of the USB hubs.

Barry

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Answer 8

Rick Wilson Author

Level 1

82 points

Nov 27, 2010 3:08 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

System Profiler - Hardware section
Bluetooth says No Information Available

USB section shows:

USB Bus
USB Bus
USB Bus
Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
IR Receiver
USB Bus
USB Bus
USB High speed bus
USB High speed bus
Built-in isight

I ran Hardware Test from the original DVD and it didn't have any errors.

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Answer 9

Nov 27, 2010 3:58 PM in response to Rick Wilson

Hello Rick:

I suggest you take it in for diagnosis. The USB hub problem (notice there is no BT entry in the system profiler) indicates to me that there is a hardware problem.

Barry

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Answer 10

Rick Wilson Author

Level 1

82 points

Dec 21, 2010 2:32 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

Took it in and they kept it for repair. Turns out it was a bad board. It is now fixed. Thanks for your assistance.

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