Bluetooth: Not Available -- Hardware or software fault?

Has anybody resolved this? My wife's 2006 Macbook Core Duo just started doing this tonight. I have tried everything on this thread (PRAM, SMC, etc), but nothing has worked. I still have the "No Information Found" under the Bluetooth in System Profiler. I do not use any BT devices, but we do use sleep, and with that not working it a big problem.

Anybody with an update on this?

this issue has already been resolved. You will need to open up the macbook and isolate the bluetooth cable from the 2-3 other cables that it sits beside. Tuck the bt cable underneath the optical drive and reassemble. Heat is causing the spotty bt reception, which affects the sleep functionality.

carried out this fix around 3 months ago and have had no issues ever since.

I recently had the same problem. I went to the Apple Store to get a malfunctioning fan replaced. Upon getting my computer back I was shocked to find that I had a squiggly line over my Bluetooth logo... "uh, oh."

I told them that it had worked before I brought it in.

The "Genius" explained:

"Well, the fan is in the center of your computer, your Bluetooth antennae is in the top right. They're not even close to each other. It would be next to impossible for anybody who had worked on your computer to have disrupted anything to do with your Bluetooth."

I was also told that I would have to leave my computer AGAIN, and, because my Apple Care Protection Plan was void due to minimal liquid damage on the LCD, I'd have to pay for any additional service... NOT acceptable.

I promptly took my computer and drove home...

I tried restarting, resetting my pram, etc... but nothing would work.

I finally bit the bullet and opened up my computer using a guide I found at "ifixit.com." Upon unplugging the cable that connected my optical drive to the logic board, I found something interesting underneath. A chord, next to the fan, had become unplugged. I followed the chord and found it went straight to the bluetooth antennae.

"Not even close to the fan, huh!?"

I snapped it back in, and situated the chord on top of the others. I plugged in my optical drive and my trackpad, and I put the whole thing back together. I booted up my computer, and SURPRISE... I have Bluetooth.

Since this experience, I'm now confident enough to replace my scratched LCD. Apple quoted me at almost $800 for a repair...."ARE YOU ***** KIDDING ME!?"

I just ordered a new screen on eBay for less than $40 and I got free shipping.

I've come to the conclusion that I will do all the work on my computer from now on. Apple has lost LOTS of future Apple Care money from me.

Message was edited by: ThatPaulAllen

I have the same problem. Just thought I'd let those interested know what I've done so far. I tried all of the software fixes that have been posted up, but none worked. When I finally got sick of not being able to use my peripherals when I wanted (not to mention the sleep problem) I took it in to the Genius bar (I'm still covered by Apple Care). I told them in as concise a way as I could that from what I had read on the forums this was an ongoing problem with this model of Macbook. They said I shouldn't listen to the people on the forum, because "they're all crazy".

He then said they would replace the Bluetooth module. Because they didn't have the parts, he said I should bring the laptop back in a week later. It took a few days to fix, seemed to work for a couple of days and then started intermittently becoming 'unavailable' again. I took plenty of screenshots.

It was a few months before I had the time to go without my computer for days again. When I did, and once again explained the problem, they said that it might be the cable connecting the module to the board. I said I thought it might be heat-related, as it seemed to come and go and would almost always go away if I switched off the computer, took the battery out and left it out overnight. Once again, I was told that the people on the forum didn't know what they were talking about. They've now had my computer for two weeks - apparently they didn't have the parts this time either, but this time they didn't give me the option to hand it over after they had the parts, so I'm guessing it was just sitting there gathering dust for 9 days. I fully expect to get it back and the Bluetooth to stop working again. I will post up results if that is the case. I think I'm just going to keep bringing the laptop back in to the Genius bar until this problem is fixed or my warranty runs out.

It really annoys me that Apple can show such scorn for their consumers, even when it turns out we're right.

Okay, so I've been suffering with this problem for years now. It began happening after taking it in for service, so I expect the bluetooth cable got knocked into a bad position. My bluetooth goes in and out, but it usually goes out after the computer has been on for a while (so the heat problem). However, it sometimes goes out right away. I want to fix the problem sooo badly but I am afraid to open up the computer. I installed my 2gb ram without a problem, but to unscrew and fiddle with all those sensitive parts...ack! Should I just go for it? I've read the entire book on Desktops and Portable systems so I know what to do. I'm out of warranty and who knows what they would charge me for fixes that won't work.

Just to add another voice to the crowd, this has been an ongoing problem with my macbook for over a year. BT just comes and goes as it pleases. THere is no relationship with temperature that I can tell - I set my book up on a ventilated stand, didn't help a bit. The bottom isn't hot when the BT is off, so I don't think there is any relation to temp. I guess all of you who have applecare need to bug them to death to fix the problem. I'm just going to get a mouse with a cord. Life is too short to screw around with this.

same here, my bluetooth goes out, but after i let it set and cool off it works again. i think hes on to something with the temperature problem thing.

ALL,

After many "repairs" and lots of research... I took my macbook to the Apple store and requested they re-route the bluetooth wire/cable so that it is not near any other cables to interfere with. I have not had any problems since...that was weeks ago.

The procedure took about 15 minutes and was done "in house". I believe this will cure the problem for anyone. There is a lot of talk around these forums about this "cable fix" and it seems to be something that can be done on your own if you cannot get to an Apple store and are tech savvy.

Good Luck, I'm a very happy camper.

SAME Problem here, I'm in Mexico so I cannot go to the Apple Store. It is NOT heat related since I am currently without BT AND I JUST turned on the computer from more than 12 hours shut.
APPLE HELP! DO SOMETHING IT IS VERY ANNOYING!, I bought a Mac because I was tired of windows problems and now this???????

I've been having this problem for close to 2 years now. I used to have my Mac Pro as my main computer and would only use my laptop every so often so the bluetooth always worked then. My Mac Pro has died so now I use my black Macbook as my primary computer and ever since, my bluetooth has gone in and out, usually not working at all. I recently bought one of those stupid "heat rests with 2 fans in it to cool down your computer" things, not thinking one bit that it would work, but it cost 20 bucks so I said why the **** not. Surprise, surprise, I'm now typing on my bluetooth keyboard and using my bluetooth Mighty Mouse again. I was going to forego buying a magic mouse, but now seeing that my bluetooth works again, hey-oh Magic Mouse!

Just done the 'rerouting' (~12 user hours ago). Immediately noticed that Magic Mouse was connecting far more promptly than before. Didn't get the usual wiggly line within 10 mins of resuming from standby. All marvellous. Of course, as with all other 'fixes', only time will tell.

The fix itself was pretty tricky - I rerouted the speaker cable around the edge of the fan casing to make more spacing for other cables. DVD drive orifice didn't want to align with slot in case. All perfect now though, not bad for a 3 and a half year old laptop.

I've been having this problem recently. I've noticed that when I restart my computer at work it's perfectly fine. But when I am home at my apartment no amount of restarting will get the bluetooth to function. I'm thinking it has something to do with the internet connection. Both are wireless but I'm wondering if the office is less "stressful" on the computer to pick up? It's also air conditioned in the office but I'm only here for 1 minute when I restart so I can't imagine it cools down that much. Try plugging into your router or going somewhere else that has wireless to test the theory?

Another fix I did get to work at home was shutting down for 5+ minutes then turning back on. Not just doing it right away.

Thanks, I did the same thing and it works now..!

Hey
I have the latest macbook and one day while i was trying to browse through firefox it would not open so I then restarted my laptop.

Then I turned it back on and it said it could not find macintosh HD and Data HD.

Does any one have any suggestions