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Dell BT Keyboard Stopped Working Outside Windows
I've got an XPS 420 that came with the Dell BT keyboard & mouse bundle.
A couple of weeks ago, the keyboard stopped working outside Windows. Once I get past the Windows logon screen (using a USB keyboard), the BT keyboard works just fine.
In the distant past, I had to do a complete reinstall & I knew I had in my notes exactly what it was the enabled the BT keyboard to work outside Windows (Vista Ultimate), and I finally dug out the instructions tonight because I'm sick to death of having two keyboards cluttering up my work area. Unfortunately, reinstalling the Dell Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Bundle SP_3_21_b29_DT_XP_Vista, A01 didn't resolve the problem.
Any suggestions?
TIA
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Solutions (0)

speedstep
11 Legend
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46969 Posts
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Posted June 17th, 2011 11:00
make sure the batteries for the keyboard are ok.
After you connect a Bluetooth adapter to your computer for a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and for a Bluetooth-enabled mouse, the keyboard and the mouse are not detected in Windows when you start the computer. Therefore, you cannot use the keyboard or the mouse in Windows.
The Microsoft Bluetooth stack that is included in Windows does not let Bluetooth devices function until after you configure and pair the devices in Windows. This requirement helps prevent unauthorized access to your computer. When you connect the Bluetooth devices and then start the computer, the following behavior occurs:
Additionally, you must connect a wired keyboard and mouse to the computer to install Windows when Windows is integrated with the Windows installation media. (This installation is also known as a slipstream service pack installation.) When you install Windows by integrating the Windows installation media, Windows does not detect a Bluetooth mouse or a Bluetooth keyboard during the graphical user interface (GUI) mode part of the Setup program. Therefore, you cannot complete the Windows installation or log on to Windows by using a Bluetooth mouse or a Bluetooth keyboard.
Configuring a Bluetooth device on a Windows-based computer
How to make sure that the Bluetooth service is started
Windows Vista or Windows 7
- Click Start
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, copy and then paste (or type) the following command in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER:
services.msc
- In the Programs list, click Services.
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If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
Windows XPHow to connect the Bluetooth device to the computer
- Press and hold the Connect button on the bottom of the mouse. If your device has a battery indication light, it will blink and alternate between red and green to indicate that the device is discoverable.
- On the computer, open the Bluetooth software. The Bluetooth software is typically located in Control Panel. For more information about opening the Bluetooth software, see the "How to open the Bluetooth software" section.
- Click the Devices tab, and then click Add.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
If you cannot connect to the computer, you must troubleshoot the Bluetooth connection. For more information about how to troubleshoot the Bluetooth connection, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:A Microsoft Bluetooth mouse does not require a passkey to connect to the computer. If you are prompted for a passkey, select No passkey. If you do not get the No Passkey option, try to enter 0000 as a passkey by using your keyboard.
How to open the Bluetooth software
There are several versions of Bluetooth software that help you connect your device to your Bluetooth wireless transceiver. For example, a Toshiba portable computer may use Toshiba Bluetooth software. Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP SP2 include Microsoft Bluetooth software.For more information about Toshiba Bluetooth software, visit the following Toshiba Web site:
- Hewlett-Packard (HP) computers:
http://www.hp.com (http://www.hp.com)
- Dell computers:
http://www.dell.com (http://www.dell.com)
- Lenovo computers:
http://www.lenovo.com (http://www.lenovo.com)
For information about how to contact other portable computer manufacturers, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Configuring a Bluetooth device on an Apple (Macintosh)
The devices that are listed in the "Applies to" section are designed to use Bluetooth functionality that is provided by the operating system. These devices do not require Intellitype or Intellipoint software.- Make sure that you have fresh set of batteries. If you do not, turn off your Bluetooth device. The green light on the device should be turned off.
Note Both mouse and keyboard devices may have the On/Off switch on the bottom. Refer to the following illustrations.
Shining light (indicates that the device is on)
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- On the Apple menu, click Preferences.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Click to select the On and Discoverable check boxes.
- Click Set Up New Device, or click the plus sign (+) at the bottom-left corner of the window.
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- In the Bluetooth Setup Assistance window, click Continue.
- Turn on the device by using the On/Off button on the bottom of the device.
- Select either Mouse or Keyboard, and then click Continue.
- Press the sync button on the bottom of the device if the button exists. If there is a sync button, it should be located next to the Bluetooth symbol. If your device does not have a sync button, go to the next step.
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- The computer will detect the device. Select the name of the mouse or keyboard device, and then click Continue.
- After the setup is complete, click Quit. The device should now work.
If you are trying to configure a Bluetooth mouse, it maybe helpful to download and install an advanced driver for USB and for Bluetooth mice. To obtain the appropriate driver, visit the following Apple Web site:Changing batteries
Turning on or turning off the device
Syncing the device
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
Note This is a "FAST PUBLISH" article created directly from within the Microsoft support organization. The information contained herein is provided as-is in response to emerging issues. As a result of the speed in making it available, the materials may include typographical errors and may be revised at any time without notice. See Terms of Use (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151500) for other considerations.