Bluetooth and Mac Pro problem

Greetings,

I'm having the same problem, in addition to a 'static' sound that keeps playing through either sound output, even when in sleep mode or muted. I'm wondering if the two issues are related.

The strange thing is both keyboard and mouse seemed to work fine out of the box but quickly degraded after a few hours time. Now I basically have to be right on top of the CPU to get a decent connection.

The 'static' sound is also very worrisome as I bought this computer for media purposes and to have this type of random sound distortion is unacceptable.

The reason I mention the two issues being possibly related is due to the type of sound I'm getting, it sounds like the BT module is constantly trying to send out a signal and this signal is being picked up by the sound card. I'm sure I'm completely off the mark, but I'm just out of ideas....very frustrating to pay this much for a computer and have these problems.

I'm going to wait a few days and see if Apple responds to these issues on the support site, if not then I may be sending this Mac Pro back, unfortunately. Every thing else works flawlessly so I'm hoping Apple comes through and remedies these problems, I realy WANT to keep this computer.

Also, I did try one of the mentioned remedies in this thread....I took the cover off and checked to see if the antenna was loose on the BT module, but it seemed fine.

Sean

Sean - I wish I had a solution for you. After all I've been through, at the suggestion of the folks at AppleCare today I brought my Mac Pro to the "local" apple store. The range of the wireless mighty mouse was much improved there, leading to the conclusion that it's some sort of environmental issue in my home office. I came home, unplugged everything in the house except for one outlet. Turned off all the breakers just to be sure. Booted 'er up, re-paired the bluetooth mouse and... same problem. Unbelievable. Meanwhile, all three other Macs in the house work fine with bluetooth mouse. I too get some intermittent buzzing through my speakers that was never there before. I know it's a new power pack in these machines and I wonder if they're ultra sensitive to line noise, etc?? Apple has been vey good, and I really do want this machine and the 30" cinema display I ordered with it, but I give up. I just don't know what else to do. Replacement iMac has been ordered. Good luck!

MacPro Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2X3 GHz, 4GB, 30"Cinema Display...

Well, I'm going to wait until the end of the week and see if any more info comes up regarding these issues. If nothing solves the problem I will start the Apple Support process....

Take Care

Sean

I was given advise that the intenal bluetooth is weak. The D-link usb bluetooth 2.0 is the best thing out there. I have a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. The range I use my mouse with the door close was 25 feet. So I feel it has alot to do with the interal mouse range. The internal mouse could be 1.1 compliant not 2.0 complaint. I do not know if this has anything to do with it.

This has been an interesting thread. There is a similar one going on over at macrumors. Seems to be farily widespread OR the people having no problem just aren't chiming in that much. I really hope I don't have the same problem when my Mac Pro arrives.

I appreciate the info from everyone that the external usb dongles work. But I like the fact that apple integrated it into the box, that's a nice clean solution and keeps me from tying up a USB port. Plus, Apple is selling it, I paid for it, I expect it to work and work well. I shouldn't have to buy a $30 work around because their solution, that I already paid for, doesn't work right.

has anyone tried getting Apple to keep the card in exchange for a refund and a wired kb/mouse?

I wish you the best of luck. It may be that some are good and some aren't, who knows?

I'm hoping Apple comes up with a solution ASAP, for now, I'm getting up close and personal with my Mac Pro...and I do mean CLOSE.

I'm going to head over macrumors nd see what's up...

Take care...

Sean

I've now received my replacement Mac Pro, but it still has the same problem. It actually seems slightly worse than the previous one.

I'm the person who started the thread on Mac Rumors titled "Bluetooth Range Problem".

I'm currently waiting for Apple to phone me back.

I'd rather not have to spend more money on a bluetooth dongle, the mac pro's bluetooth should work and it shouldn't be up to me to spend more money to fix the problem.

Mac Pro 2.66GHz, 2GB RAM, ATI X1900 XT, 1 x SuperDrive, Airport and Bluetooth Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I am now using a USB bluetooth adpater plugged into the back of my 30" Cinema Display, and it works great. I know this is not the ultimate solution, and I hope it doesn't need to be even a long term solution. While I agree that it is unfair to have to go out and by a $20 solution to make a brand new $4,000++computer work, it seems to be the prudent approach for the time being. Apple has done everything they can, and they have a good track record of fixing bugs like this one. There is some issue with the machine, because even the usb adpater doesnt work nearly as well when it's plugged into the machine as it does when it's plugged into the usb port on the monitor. I'm putting my faith in the Apple engineers... for now.

MacPro Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2X3 GHz, 4GB, 30"Cinema Display...

Just to clarify.....you're using your Apple Bluetooth MM & Keyboard through the purchased USB Bluetooth adapter?

Thanks...

Sean

Sorry; yes, I am using a wireless Mighty Mouse and an Apple wireless keyboard. The usb adapter is a d-link dbt-120, which is sold in the Aplle store and in any electronics/computer store. They're down to about $20 after rebates, and I wouldn't be surprised if even your local Radio Shack carried them.

I know it's a heartbreak to have to resort to this for your brand new computer. But if that's what it takes for you to be able to enjoy the new machine and have some fun with it while the Apple engineers figure out the real problem, it may be a reasonable response. Best of luck.

Well Put another one on the list. I use both Mac OS and Windows XP on Boot camp and the mouse and keyboard barely work beyon 2 ft from the machine. i called Apple and they are sending me a new Mouse. I am not sure if it will work or not. I also feel the problem is in the BT antenna issue and metal case...

Save yourself a lot of headaches, it's not likely to be the mouse. Spend $20., get a usb bluetooth adapter, and plug it in to your monitor or a usb hub that's not too close to the computer. If your monitor doesn't have a usb port and you don't have a usb hub in a good location, plug the usb bluetooth adapter into the FRONT of your Mac Pro. It just doesn't seem happy in the BACK of the computer.

Eventually Apple will have a fix for this. Until then, do what you have to do to enjoy your great new computer and not regret buying it. Best of luck.

I have a wireless Mighty Mouse working perfectly on a Bluetooth dongle on my wired keyboard. Just for kicks I tried my wife's wirless keyboard and it to functions perfectly. When the Airport/Bluetooth kits are available for my Mac Pro I'm only getting the Airport kit . . . with so many places to attach a dongle and with its superb performance I see no reason to buy the internal Bluetooth device.

"Intresting" Notions about BT+MM.



So, now about 4 days of working under the belt with the combo.
98% of the time the combo has been useable.

But.

The mouse starts acting up, slows,lags,moves erratically as soon as the HDDs spin up to do something heavier.After the HDDs calm down,it takes few seconds for the mouse to calm down too.

OR if the processors are chewing something heavily,same thing.

Theese two things I have encountered in photoshop (CS2) and occasionally on the desktop (say,mail).



And no, this is nothing like the regular uneveness when a machine is overloaded/beachballing..

Weird.

After reading a number of similar discussions here and elsewhere, I was prompted to more closely examine the antenna leads in my box. There are supposed to be four leads, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 'BT'. In my box, 2 and 3 were the only ones clearly labeled; an unlabled one was attached to the bluetooth module, 3 was attached to the lower Airport connector, another unlabeled one was attached to the upper Airport connector, and 2 was unconnected (tucked behind the motherboard). I disconnected the unlabeled lead that was connected to the Airport and moved it to the bluetooth module, leaving the lead formerly connected to bluetooth disconnected. I then attached lead 2 to the open Airport connector (this lead was significantly shorter than the others, and only just reached the upper Airport connector). The difference is dramatic; Airport works as well as before, but bluetooth now works as it should. Before, moving my mouse more than 3ft. from the box made it difficult to move; past 4-5ft. it became practically unusable. Now I can use the mouse effectively from across the room. It appears to me that the antenna leads were mislabled or misconnected. (Note: the antenna wires are supposed to run behind the motherboard to a plastic area on the underside of the box where the signal can escape the otherwise aluminum case). I hope this info may be of use to some of you experiencing similar problems.