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AnnaKGreen
2 Posts
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26738
August 21st, 2007 16:00
Bluetooth Keyboard Won't Work
I have had my Dimension E521 for a week with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse with no problems at all. Have been able to use it just fine. I generally leave the computer on all the time, and when I remember I turn off the mouse and keyboard to save the batteries - but last night I left them on. This morning the keyboard wouldn't work, so I replaced the batteries, actually I have tried THREE sets of fresh batteries. The computer won't recognize the keyboard! I tried restarting the computer twice, and I have followed the instructions that came with the computer for the bluetooth devices 3 times as well. Of course I can't sign in with my password to try some of the suggestions that are given. I am using my laptop to write this, and do not have access to a wired keyboard and mouse to try some of the other suggestions. I could get those things, but it will take a couple days to borrow from friends. What else do I need to try? I have plugged and unplugged the USB bluetooth receiver, turned off and on the devices, basically EVERYTHING that the documentation that came with the computer has been tried 3 times and I am rather frustrated. I just got a call from my partner who told me that when they were sitting down at my computer yesterday logging on, it made a whole line of "iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" when typing. Maybe the whole unit is defective. Guess I'll call Dell...
- try unplugging ALL USB devices from your computer, shutdown and unplug from wall socket. Leave for 15 to 30 mins. On reboot your USB should all be nicely restacked. Try plugging in your USB. Hopefully all should work. If not try a second time but reboot TWICE.If it works right click my computer, then properties, the choose hardware tab and click on device manager.Once in device manager expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Right click USB root hub then properties then choose power management tab. Uncheck 'allow ccomputer to turn off this device to save power'See how you go on above first:smileywink:
- Tried disabling power management, still unreliable. Frequently no keyboard and mouse first thing in morning, with no option but to power down etc and try again.Strangely, in subsequent testing (as said, bought new MS wireless keyboard and mouse, as these PCs are my Tills in shop - http://www.retail-epos.co.uk is the software I use - I demand reliability), the Dell bluetooth stuff seems more reliable without setpoint installed.
- Moving the USB dongle to another port did sometimes help, but no always, and never for more than a few days. Dell tech sup couldn't really help, though did let slip I was not alone. A quick google showed the Logitech bluetooth keyboards (which is what Dell's are) are problematic, so because I rely on them, just replaced with the MS stuff (which has been faultless). Systems were E520 (3 of them, all same issue)As said earlier, I have tried the (now unused) Dell bluetooth stuff on other, less important systems, and so far seems pretty reliable, though I haven't installed Setpoint. System is 5100.No suggesting anyone removes setpoint, just stating what I have found. I guess without setpoint, you are losing your ability to attach to other bluetooth devices such as phones and headphones etc. I do not need these devices, so not an issue to me.Hopefully, if it is just setpoint, it can be resolved quickly with an update from Dell (who are obviously reliant on Logitech fixing the software).HTH
- I am really fed up with losing the bluetooth mouse and keyboard connection whenever my 5150C PC goes into power-save mode. I did not find the Dell support suggestion to put the receiver into another usb port each time it happened relieved my frustration much. You would think a solution was not too difficult to supply. So much for technological advances. I was happier with pieces of wire between the devices!
AnnaKGreen
2 Posts
1706
0
Posted September 17th, 2007 22:00
Well, it did start working the next day and has been fine ever since. I decided to not try turning off the mouse and keyboard to save the batteries and everything that been fine since. The batteries haven't gone dead yet, so I guess the things shut themselves down when they aren't used for a while. However, the tech person on the phone wasn't any help, and what help I got via e-mail from Dell wasn't any help. But it did start working the next day and has been fine ever since. I'll knock on wood...- You are so lucky! I never switch off the mouse or keyboards and never a day goes by without removing and reinserting the receiver 3 or 4 times. I guess Dell expect everybody to ditch their Dell keyboard/mouse in frustration and buy another product. Well if I get to that stage I will be ditching my Dell computers too!
- As I suggested earlier - try it with Setpoint uninstalled...I have been using mine for about a month (not daily), and the only issue I have had in that time was flat batteries.Got to be worth trying? (Obviously other bluetooth devices won't work, only keyboard/mouse)
PSmithe
6 Posts
1701
0
Posted August 22nd, 2007 13:00