Basic Bluetooth headset question

I have used two different Bluetooth adapters to try and set up two different headphones, but once I select the headphones in the Sound Output Preferences and I try and produce any sound (Finder alert, DVD movie) I get "Bluetooth audio failed. There was an error connecting to your headset. Make sure it is turned on and in range. The audio portion of the program you were using may have to be restarted." and they don't work. This happens with the CompUSA SKU.312330 USB Bluetooth adapter with external antenna and the DLink DBT-120 USB adapter and with both a Jabra BT110 headset and MacAlly BlueWave headphones. I am running OS 10.4.6 currently but had the same issue with 10.4.5.
I was excited about 10.4.6, since it said it included Bluetooth improvements.

I have done the following for the DLink but the CompUSA adapter said the Firmware was up to date:
"Using a headset needs several steps even needed if you have the latest computer or Mac OS X release. Please make sure to follow them in order.
1. Download the Apple Bluetooth Firmware Updater
2. Install it
3. Launch it from Applications > Utilities > Bluetooth Updater
4. Apply it to your adapter (takes very long).
5. Start the Apple Bluetooth Assistant and select Headset. Do not use anything else!
6. Make your headset Bluetooth visible. Look up the manual of your headset how to do that.
7. Now select the headset in System Preferences > Sound.
In most cases step 3 is missed. You have to start the already installed updater yourself (do not ask me why). Step 4 fails if you do not have an internal Apple Bluetooth module and your Bluetooth USB adapter is not supported by Apple. In this case, you have to go for a D-Link DBT-120 USB adapter."

and I did this using my devices of course:
"I had the same problem. M2500 from Plantronics worked fine under Panther, then I upgraded to Tiger and it didn't work anymore. The pairing worked, but the device was not recognized in Sound In/Out.

Here is what you need to fix this problem:
1. Tiger Developer Tools installation
Here is what you need to do:
1. In Finder select "Go" from the Finder menu, then select "Go to Folder" and type in the following path: /Developer/Applications/Utilities/Bluetooth/

2. Double click on "Bluetooth Explorer"

3. Select "Utilities -> Show Device Cache"

4. Now you should see a list of devices, and you should also see the M2500. Select M2500 and click on "Delete Selected Devices".

5. Close the Device Cache window and quit out of Bluetooth Explorer.

6. Now click on the "Apple Menu" top left corner and select "System Preferences" and click on the "Bluetooth" icon to bring up the Bluetooth preferences.

7. Select the "M2500 by Plantronics" item in the "Bluetooth Devices:" list and delete it.

8. Now click on the "Device" tab and select "Set Up New Device..." and follow the setup pairing process. (the pairing code is "0000").

- Step 1 should be "Introduction" - click Continue
- Step 2 should be "Select Device Type" - select "Headset" and click on Continue
- Step 3 should be "Bluetooth Headset Set Up" - Now bring your M2500 in pairing mode (turn on headset by pressing and holding the on/off/volume up/volume down button. Once headset is turned on push the volume switch to the up position, hold it and press the talk button by the microphone until the light flashes red and green continuously). Now the M2500 is in pairing mode and you should see the M2500 in the list of discovered headset devices. Select it and click the "Continue" button.
- Step 4 should ask you for the pairing code. Type in "0000" (4 zeros) and press the button to proceed.
- Now the computer should gather additional info and .... voila.... M2500 paired and set up."

Neither of these changed my situation. I just want to be able to listen to games or a movie on headphones without being tied to the computer with a cord.
So, is there anyway, currently, to get a headset to work with Bluetooth and OS 10.4.6?

G5 1.8 single Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 12, 2006 4:06 PM

25 replies

Dean Pahl

Level 4

3,870 points

Apr 21, 2006 12:43 AM in response to Alexander Traud

Thanks for the clarification, Alexander. I thought I'd seen some users posting (in their respective Mac forums) about seeing this message when no appropriate firmware update was available for their Mac model (i.e., people with 2.0+EDR chips; before the 10.4.6 update). But I just did some searching, and discovered that a thread I recalled had been corrected — that MacBook Pro owner had received the message, but it was because he had an old dongle plugged into his USB hub — in addition to the newer internal module.

Thanks again,
Dean

Apr 21, 2006 1:49 AM in response to David Grayson

Alexander should take some lessons from you on patience.

Has nothing to do with patience but with experience. For example there are reports where a Motorola H700 does not work. I guess – however, I do not hope so – you face the same problems in some weeks again. There is a bug and there is no pattern yet.

Additionally, there might be something wrong with your Mac OS X. When you have used the combined updater to Mac OS X version 10.4.6 and you have Apple's Bluetooth software 1.7.0 instead of 1.7.3, then there is something wrong with your permissions on your system. Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > click on your main harddisk > click on your startup volume > First Aid > Repair Permissons. After that, you should reapply the Mac OS X v10.4.6 combined updater to get Apple's Bluetooth software at 1.7.3.

If you are a fan of never touching a running system, please note that even such small version changes might contain critical security patches, although I am not aware if this is true for this particular update.

Jump

Level 1

10 points

Apr 25, 2006 3:36 AM in response to Alexander Traud

When a user has this message about hardware not
supporting headsets, a firmware update of the
Bluetooth module or USB adapter is required. There is
no question which model is used. Bluetooth in the
Apple worls just needs that update.

This advice is frequently repeated in answer to questions about Bluetooth headsets but I wonder if, for some users at least, it needs a rider added for future responses. It didn't work for me.

Some weeks ago my wife expressed interest in using a bluetooth headset for voice chat in games. Before buying her a headset I thought I'd see how she went with a Motorola HS810 I already had.

I set up and paired that headset in seconds on her iMac G5 (built-in Bluetooth) but I figured I'd test everything out on my own G5 dual tower (which has a D-Link BT120 (B3) dongle), which is when I got the message "headsets are not supported on your Bluetooth hardware."

A search of the forums brought up similar problems, and a number of variations on the advice quoted here, which is basically to update the DLink firmware. I thought at the time that 'updating' firmware to v1.2 with an updater released in 2004 (the machine and dongle were both bought late 2005) when my OS is 10.4.6, the Apple Bluetooth software is v1.7.3f4 and the firmware version is 1.525 didn't make a lot of sense but these forums have never steered me wrong in the past so I tried it.

In fact, I spent hours trying it, and very, very carefully following every step of all of the advice given in various postings. I still can't get past that "not supported" message. The firmware 'update' didn't take (not surprising) and I got no further.

Well, it works on the wife's iMac which is all that matters to me but it's frustrating nonetheless. Maybe it's just me doing something dumb but I know the headset is supported. I know the software/firmware is up to date. It should work. But it doesn't, at least on this particular configuration. If the question is asked again in the future it might be helpful for those people who consistently give their time to take the trouble to respond to such queries to point out that the solutions previously posted are not successful in every case.

PB G4, G5 dual, iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Apr 25, 2006 7:09 AM in response to Jump

They are successful in every case. However, there are reports of poeple having great difficulty to apply the firmware updater. Often it does not suceed.

To confirm the updater failed, please go to System Preferences > Bluetooth > General and click twice on the name of your machine. Three hidden information will appear. One includes the firmware version. Does it start with H2 and L2? If it starts with H1 and L1 then the updater was not applied successfully, yet. Please try to apply the update on another Mac.

If there is H2 and L2, something very wired is going up at your place. Are you curious enough to investigate it?

Dean Pahl

Level 4

3,870 points

Apr 25, 2006 8:49 AM in response to Alexander Traud

Very cool "trick," Alexander. Thanks for explaining it.

On my eMac, 3 clicks are required in System Preferences »» Bluetooth »» Settings —>

"Dean Pahl's eMac" :: <the internal module's address (?) > :: (Version 1.7.3f4) :: Cambridge Silicon Radio (H2.1586) (L2.1586).

Alexander, do the H2 and L2 mean something — like the firmware "build," or something related to the CSR chip, or _?

Fyi, 2.1586 is my Bluetooth firmware version, as also shown in System Profiler »» Hardware »» Bluetooth. (This for anyone who may not be familiar; I realize that Alexander already knows it.) Similarly, the Bluetooth software version shown there is 1.73f4. (Both of these values are "model-specific" — although, AFAIK, 2.xxx or higher and 1.7.3xx should be indicated if Bluetooth firmware and software are current as of the firmware updater and Mac OS X 10.4.6.) In System Profiler »» Software »» Extensions and »» Frameworks, versions and other data about kernel extensions and frameworks related to Bluetooth functionality are also reported.

Thanks again,
Dean

Jump, It doesn't matter when a D-Link DBT-120 was purchased; they all come with firmware that should be updated using the latest Apple updater. The same is often true for internal modules. Running the firmware updater modified the version reported for my internal Bluetooth module, despite its manufacture approx. 6 months after the updater was released.

Apr 25, 2006 9:20 AM in response to Dean Pahl

Jepp, three clicks are required. Was not in Mac OS X at that time of writing.

The first is your (unique) Bluetooth device address. The second the Apple Bluetooth software version. The third: H is a shortcut for Host Command Interface (HCI) which is the command level of Bluetooth hardware. L stand for Link Manager Protocol (LMP) which is a low protocol embedded within the Bluetooth hardware. The first number behind that, indicates the Bluetooth specification version. Behind that comes the vendor specific firmware build number. In this case it is a CSR, so it is the firmware 1586.

What is important for you, Jump, is the fact your D-Link DBT-120 has not been updated, yet. As written previously, for some users this does not work. Why ever. However, when they used a different Mac and applied the firmware updater to their adapter, it worked for all I am aware.

Jump

Level 1

10 points

Apr 25, 2006 6:18 PM in response to Alexander Traud

Okay guys, I stand corrected. As usual, you were right. After reading Alexander's response I checked the firmware (very neat trick with system prefs!) and it wasn't updated.

I ran the firmware updater again, expecting nothing, and -- the **** thing worked first time. Don't ask me why. I must have run that firmware updater 20 or 30 times a few weeks ago, carefully following all of Alexander's instructions and ...nothing. Today, for the first time it showed an actual progress bar and completed successfully in less than 3 minutes.

I find that weird. Nothing has changed since the last time I tried it. Maybe it's the full moon.

Couple of comments for the future though. One, I forgot to change the wireless keyboard/mouse before starting and of course lost the connection once the updater ran. (Come to think of it, that's the only thing I did differently from all the other (unsuccessful) times I've tried this. Previously I had always plugged in a cabled kb/mouse before running the updater. Can't see why it would make a difference but...). Had to plug a kb/mouse in to complete the update but that's not a problem -- except maybe for those people who don't have a cable kb/mouse lying around!

Two, I lost bluetooth after the update. A restart restored it and re-paired the wireless kb/mouse. From there it was the work of seconds to set up the headset, just as it should be.

I still think however that this particular updater is a long way from Apple's usual standards. It would be nice to see some instruction/warnings added to cover the issues like the temporary loss of existing wireless devices. I also feel that the general instructions you guys (Alexander from memory) originally posted would benefit from an addition.

Specifically, if I recall those steps correctly they indicate that the updater may not work first time or may take a long time, and to be patient. If my experience is typical then it seems to me that, once the firmware updater is launched and the initial dialogue box appears (do not let computer sleep etc, etc) that if, after clicking on the 'update' box, the familiar progress bar does not appear pretty much immediately then you can be fairly sure it's not going to work and you might as well quit and try again.

Could be wrong about that but I know that the first 20-odd times I tried this I didn't even see a progress bar and wasted a lot of time waiting for the **** thing to do something.

One other thing that might be helpful is for the explanations to detail the version of what's being updated. The Apple download is listed as "Firmware Update V1.2" I think. I know this confused me initially because "About this Mac" indicated that my Bluetooth firmware was actually v1.525, which made me think it was later than the Apple download. In fact, we're updating firmware to v2.1586 (HCI version 2) and the Apple nomenclature is obviously just the version of the updater (logical enough but not entirely clear to simple souls like me). Makes for a longer post I know but saves time for everybody in the long run.

Anyway, my thanks to Alecander et al -- you were absolutely right. I don't need the headset on this machine but it's nice to know it works. Irritates me when Macs act like those 'other' machines. And, I hope nobody interpreted my previous post as any sort of criticism. It wasn't. Like most who use these forums only occasionally I am always grateful for the time and effort the regular posters put in for other users.

PB G4, G5 dual, iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Jump

Level 1

10 points

Apr 25, 2006 8:04 PM in response to David Grayson

I have used two different Bluetooth adapters to try
and set up two different headphones, but once I
select the headphones in the Sound Output Preferences
and I try and produce any sound (Finder alert, DVD
movie) I get "Bluetooth audio failed. There was an
error connecting to your headset. Make sure it is
turned on and in range. The audio portion of the
program you were using may have to be restarted."

I know that you solved your problem with a different headset but, for anyone else interested, after succeeding in updating the firmware I got the same error message.

I went to System Prefs>Bluetooth, selected "Devices", selected the paired headset (Motorola HS810) and then clicked on "Configure", which brings up "Bluetooth Headset Set Up" and a check box "Use device as a headset for this computer." Ticking the box fixed the problem and the headset is now fine in all programs.

I assume this has to be done on all machines you want to use the headset on, in addition to the initial pairing process. Of course, as others have pointed out, none of this is going to work until the dLink firmware is successfully updated.

PB G4, G5 dual, iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Dean Pahl

Level 4

3,870 points

Apr 25, 2006 9:36 PM in response to Jump

Cool, Jump! Glad to hear you succeeded.

Thanks for sharing your recollections about what could be clearer while it's fresh in your mind. Your suggestions may help others who find this thread while searching for answers. In that vein, I'll add one small thing to your statement:

"If my experience is typical then it seems to me that, once the firmware updater is launched and the initial dialogue box appears (do not let computer sleep etc, etc) that if, after clicking on the 'update' box, the familiar progress bar does not appear pretty much immediately then you can be fairly sure it's not going to work and you might as well quit and try again." —

— Another participant who'd succeeded in running the firmware updater for an internal module after several unsuccessful attempts reported that the cautions in this "initial dialogue box" intimidated him so much that he actually forgot to select " Update." Something else to keep in mind...
As to the inadequate "formal" explanations, I agree fervently — and urge you to send feedback to Apple. For a case like this, either the KnowledgeBase feedback page or Mac OS X Feedback would be appropriate. I usually use the "It's good, but... or "It wasn't helpful..." links in the right-hand margin of many KnowledgeBase articles — but, unfortunately, the Bluetooth Firmware Updater 1.2 doesn't include these.
Thanks again,
Dean

nickyg

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2006 3:29 AM in response to Jump

Having read through the posts in this forum I am still unable to succesfully use my Motorola H700 as a headset with my Mac. I am running 10.4.6 and believe I have successfully updated to the latest version of the bluetooth software and firmware:

Apple Bluetooth Software Version: 1.7.3f4
Hardware Settings:
Natalya:
Address: 00-0d-93-12-5c-07
Manufacturer: Cambridge Silicon Radio
Firmware Version: 2.1586 (2.1586)

I can successfully pair the device, I can confirm that it is checked in the bluetooth configure settings as Use device as a headset for this computer. However when I go into the Sound system preference to select the headset as the input/output device I get the following error:

Bluetooth audio disconnected
Your headset unexpectedly disconnected. Make sure it is turned on and in range. The audio portion of the program you were using may have to be restarted.

I've had a similar experience on an iBook using the same headset. The headset works fine with my Motorola Razr v3 phone and also a Windows XP laptop.

Any suggestions appreciated.

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Basic Bluetooth headset question