can a bluetooth module get fried?

Question

can a bluetooth module get fried?

OK I am having the issue with my bluetooth suddenly becoming non existent

bluetooth icon in my menu bar is dimmed with a squiggly line through it and says "Bluetooth: not available"

no Bluetooth Icon in my Preferences

when I go to the Utilities folder and try to run Bluetooth file exchange it tells me no bluetooth devices found

in my system profiler.. under bluetooth No devices found...

I have tried the fix for the conflicting USB 2.0 to no result

I have tried to run the bluetooth updater and it tells me my software is up to date

I have tried to update the bluetooth firmware and it goes through all the motions right up to "starting update sequence" then just immediately pops back to idle. and when I quit out of the updater it tells me the firmware has not been updated.

The only differences recently have been updating to 10.4.6 and it seemed to work fine after that... then last night I had to use the computer until the batttery ran dead and it shut itself down. I started it up this morning and the Bluetooth icon had gone dim with the squiggly line through it. So here I am hoping to find some new answers..

Is it possible to fry a bluetooth module.. Or do I just need to reinstall the Bluetooth BSD software from the install CD.. because that is the only thing I haven't tried

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.6), 1.5Gb RAM

Posted on Jun 30, 2006 11:01 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 30, 2006 12:32 PM in response to blue eyed simian

Yes, your bluetooth module can get fried. The Bluetooth module plugs into the analog/DC board on my 15" PowerBook G4 (where power, modem, and headphone jacks plug in). So, any power malady from the wall socket can get to it.

While you can get to the module itself fairly easily (you only have to take the case top (aka keyboard) off), you have to completely disassemble the entire PowerBook to get to the plug (that's where I gave up). Ugly. So, If it really is dead, pay to have Apple fix it.

Others have got theirs to come back (some, only temporarily) by, reseting PRAM, NVRAM, PMU, unplugging and removing the battery for five minutes, or even simple restarts. (Details about how to do this depend on which Mac you have.) None worked for me, so I can only assume it is indeed a hardware failure on mine.

Good Luck.

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Answer 2

Jun 30, 2006 11:17 AM in response to blue eyed simian

Correction... I upgraded to 10.4.7 the most recent release

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Answer 3

Jun 30, 2006 2:06 PM in response to Scott Kitts

Thanks for the PMU reset suggestion... That is one I hadn't tried thinking it couldn't possibly be the problem and in my desperation I decided to try that before going out and getting another Bluetooth module and taking the computer apart and lo and behold it actually worked. whether or not the bluetooth module is on its last legs remains to be seen... but for the time being I have bluetooth connectivity again.. so thanks for the input.. I would never have tried that had you not mentioned it in your post.

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Answer 4

Jul 4, 2006 4:29 PM in response to blue eyed simian

I am having the same problem afetr the latest OS upgrade 10.4.7
Nedver had that problem and now the bluetooth system pref is no longer there and the menu bar is showing bluetooth with a squigly line through it and only greyed out options. Will look how to do what was recomended earlier in this thread about resetting some stuff.

Toby

PB 15 (FW 800) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 5

Jul 5, 2006 3:04 AM in response to Tobias Munk

I have also had a problem just recently with the bluetooth on my PB 15" going out. However I am running 10.3.9. I was able to temporarily restore it through removing the battery, however 2 weeks later it failed to come up on restart. My feeling is that it is an age issue, not necessarily a system issue. I am not sure that I can offer much advice, but I would ask how old is your computer?

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Answer 6

Jul 5, 2006 3:07 AM in response to blue eyed simian

I have exactly the same problem with my G4 powerbook since upgrading to 10.4.7. No fix yet.

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Answer 7

Jul 17, 2006 6:18 AM in response to blue eyed simian

I have a G5 iMac and recently had the exact same thing happen to me with my bluetooth. I have completely lost contact with both keyboard and mouse and the BT icon in the menu is grayed out and says no bluetooth available. The BT icon is also gone from my hardware list in my system preferences. This all happened after a thunder storm which knocked out the power for a short while.
I have restarted couple of times and no luck in getting it back. Beginning to really hate Bluetooth.

I did however lose bluetooth once before and it sorta came back on its own i think after i had restarted my computer for a completely different reason.

It's amazing how many people are having trouble with Bluetooth.

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Answer 8

Spyche

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2006 8:25 AM in response to blue eyed simian

I'm having the same problem...I've reset ram a few times and nothing. My puter is over 3 years old. I am guessing it is an age issue. This is my main computer, and it is on ALL day being used for graphic work. I don't use the bluetooth much but just purchased a wireless keyboard and mouse and have recently started having problems. I will try removing the battery. Good luck to others with the same problem. Maybe this will be the meltdown of my whole puter and I'll have to get a new one... YIPPEEE!

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