Apple offers no solution for USB3 and Bluetooth problems

Question

Level 1

5 points

Apple offers no solution for USB3 and Bluetooth problems

Despite several calls and mails, Apple leaves me in the dark concerning problems I have with my 2012 Mac Mini. First there were the HDMI dropout problems, but now, I have lots of problems with my Wireless Keyboard, Trackpad and Mouse. They simply don't work reliably when I have my Lacie Porsche 9230 USB3 disk connected to one of the USB3 ports.

All is very clear, because when I disconnect the Lacie drive, all Bluetooth equipment works like it should again.

Apple does know about the problem (see the link to an Intel Whitepaper deeply buried on the Apple site: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5172?viewlocale=nl_NL#15) but they refuse to offer a solution.

However, there IS a solution, and that is to shield the Bluetooth antenna with so-called EMI foil, but even if that is performed by an authorised repair centre, Apple refuses to let the guarantee intact. That could be understandable, but the thing is that they do not offer another solution.

Here you can see the shielding procedure: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other+World+Computing/DIYIMM12BTS/

I want Apple to acknowledge that there is a problem. Making a machine with USB3 and Bluetooth, but knowing about the fact that this conflicts, is like selling a chair you can't sit on.

Does anybody recognise this problem? Are there solutions given to people by Apple?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8), Plex

Posted on Feb 13, 2013 4:46 AM

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Answer 1

Jeff Shenk

Level 4

2,993 points

Feb 13, 2013 5:31 AM in response to jeroengroter

Contrary to your hyperbole, the page to which you link includes Apple's solution: rearrange the placement of your equipment so that the third party USB3 device that is causing the problem is not too close to the bluetooth antenna.

If you are unable or unwilling to do that, it's unfortunate, but Apple have clearly acknowledged the problem and explained a solution.

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Answer 2

jeroengroter Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2013 5:48 AM in response to Jeff Shenk

Hi Jeff,

I wish it was that easy. Of course I have tried that. But it's not the device itself that causes the interference. It's the connection to the ports that gives the signal. I have placed the Lacie more than 10ft away from the Mac Mini, but no result...

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Answer 3

Jeff Shenk

Level 4

2,993 points

Feb 13, 2013 6:28 AM in response to jeroengroter

Have you tried rerouting the USB cable or using a different USB port for the hard drive? Have you tried a better quality cable?

I would suspect that, as your post implies, the interference is being picked up by the bluetooth antenna, and the OWC "solution" doesn't do anything about the antenna; it adds shielding to the module.

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Answer 4

jeroengroter Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 13, 2013 8:38 AM in response to Jeff Shenk

Tried it all. A double shielded USB3 cable and all 4 USB ports. The signal "bleeds" from the ports, interferring with the Bluetooth antenna. Thats why applying a small piece of EMI foil helps, but Apple refuses to give an ok for that handling with keeping of the guarantee.

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Answer 5

Feb 13, 2013 9:28 AM in response to jeroengroter

Try to connect using a USB 2.0 cable. There are issues in some USB 3.0 devices, but they use to work fine in USB 2.0 mode. I don't know if it is Apple problem or some faulty USB 3.0 to SATA controller chip.

I have this info from http://us.toshiba.com/computers/storage/desktop/canvio-desk/read-reviews

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Answer 6

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

Feb 13, 2013 6:14 PM in response to jeroengroter

OWC sells a shielding kit for this issue. It's only $6 but you have to take the unit completely apart.

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Answer 7

jeroengroter Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 14, 2013 2:18 AM in response to RRFS

Thanks for your reply. I know this solution and this is exactly what I want the certified repair centre to do just this, but Apple refuses to give their OK for this repair under guarantee, but they do not offer any other solution...

This is exactly my problem...

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Answer 8

jeroengroter Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 14, 2013 2:19 AM in response to Marcelo Peltier

I bought this Mac Mini specifically for the USB3. I had a 2011 Mac Mini and sold that one. So, not using the USB3 is not an option...

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Answer 9

AdB1973

Level 1

11 points

Jun 20, 2016 2:49 PM in response to jeroengroter

I do not understand why this problem is downplayed in this thread. It really is 'error by design' by Apple and not by very trustworthy manufacterers like WD, Logitech and Seagate. Apple makes computers not user serviceable so Apple has to solve this. Placing my Seagate Backup Plus drives as far away as the original cables let me does not solve anything. It's the port interference that causes this not anything else.

Really this is something to be solved by a quality program, not by digging into your own machine.

Using my USB3 gear in USB2 mode is about the silliest suggestion I heard. Like if my brand new Porche 911 has problems with the brakes if I drive 70 mph, and the advice would be to drive 30 mph from now on, not temporarily but for ever.

When you sell something with usb3 and Bluetooth combined those things have to work together. This is a quality program thing.

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Answer 10

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,966 points

Jun 21, 2016 2:49 AM in response to jeroengroter

You may need to contact Apple via their Apple Feedback page link and state the issue

along with the answer (the OWC part, for example) as it now exists; then expect to not

hear anything at all. (check Feedback options in Product link)

Apple Feedback

Tell us how we’re doing. Select the appropriate feedback option

(we read everything, but can’t always respond):

• Support Feedback

• Product Feedback

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple:

https://www.apple.com/contact/

Perhaps years from now, such items will be magically upgraded to be as it should've been.

By then, if there is a credible GUI with input tools for vintage users, we'll feel lucky...! 😉

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