Can I disable internal Bluetooth and use a usb dongle instead?

Question

Can I disable internal Bluetooth and use a usb dongle instead?

I just got a 2012 Mac Pro. I had been using an external USB Bluetooth dongle that worked fine (on my 2007 MacPro).

I installed a Sonnet USB 3 PCI card which interferes with the internal Bluetooth on the MacPro causing my wireless trackpad to screw up. Before I try wrapping the USB card in some kind of Faraday cage (ok, aluminum foil) I wanted to see if the internal Bluetooth can be turned off or removed.

Thanks

MacBook Pro, Windows XP

Posted on Dec 14, 2013 2:26 AM

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Answer 1

sgginc

Level 3

676 points

Dec 14, 2013 5:19 AM in response to davidfromsummerfield

You can turn Bluetooth off in your Preference Panes under Bluetooth.

All attempts I've made to add an external Bluetooth dongle

On my Mac Pro 3,1 have failed.

Thanks ...
Ken

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Answer 2

kaz-k

Level 9

51,270 points

Dec 14, 2013 5:35 AM in response to davidfromsummerfield

There's no way except remove internal bluetooth module physically, I suppose.

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Answer 3

Dec 14, 2013 9:17 AM in response to davidfromsummerfield

I have all of my old drives installed, so I booted with a different drive running 10.7. This drive was in the old MP with the dongle. When I tried to use my USB card it worked fine and didn't interfere with the trackpad. When I look at the Bluetooth control panel it shows the on button checked but grayed out. I think it must be using the dongle instead of internal BT because it works perfectly. When I go back to the other startup drive, I have the problem again (and the Bluetooth control panel shows the on button checked and NOT grayed out). I think I have to figure out a way to fool the internal BT. I'll get back with an update if anyone cares.

Thanks to those who replied.

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