Alienware M14X R2 - Bluetooth Question

Question

Sorry for what may be a noobish question, but I recently acquired this laptop from someone on eBay.  All in all, the lappy is in great shape, and I was able to reinstall the OS (swapped SSDs once I received the lappy) and the drivers with no problem EXCEPT for the bluetooth.  As I am attempting to install the driver/application (for what is labeled as Dell Wireless 380 Bluetooth 4.0 Module), it prompts me to activate the bluetooth switch from the function keys on the laptop).  In the bios, the bluetooth is enabled, but for some reason, it does not recognize that there is a bluetooth module in the laptop.  I asked the previous owner, and he mentioned that he believed he purchased the laptop with the bluetooth module, but couldnt confirm it.  I contact Dell technical support, and based on the original configuration, the support rep mentioned that they didnt see the laptop being configured with the bluetooth module (as it is apparently optional during build), but she didnt sound confident.  So, this is my first Alienware, and I am not that much of a laptop tech.  What has be confused is that when I research the web, I cannot find any retailer that sells the Dell Wireless 380 Bluetooth Module - the closest one I come to is Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module.  Also, in other circles, I see folks mentioning that the Centrino 2230-N wireless card has the bluetooth already, which has me confused. So, my questions are: 1 - Can someone share their thoughts on whether or not this is a configurable item when purchasing this laptop? 2 - If yes, is it truly packaged with the Intel Centrino WIreless 2230-N, or is there truly a Dell Wireless 380 Bluetooth module? 3 - If yes to the later on #2, where can I purchase this part, as I dont even see it anywhere online? BTW - when I look at Device Manager for anything related to wireless/bluetooth, the only things I see are: Intel Centrino WiMAX 6250 - which I am assuming is for my wireless) Intel Centrio Advanced-N 6250 Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapters  And I dont see any hardware that needs to be troubleshooted.  Any support would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

morblore · Answer

I don't know much about the m14x but I'll try to help.

This is the driver you tried, right? http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/DriverFileFormats/Product/alienware-m14x-r2?DriverId=74WX4&FileId=2946387580&urlProductCode=False

I looked up the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6250 but it doesn't list Bluetooth as one of the features. I don't think you have the 2230 because it would be in device manager. http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/centrino-wireless-n-wimax-6250.html

What happens when you turn it on with the function keys or does it even list it? Does it show a bluetooth icon down in the system try or control panel? I was thinking maybe there was a fuction key driver but I can't find any. My guess is the bluetooth is just turned off.

On my desktop with the 365 Bluetooth it will not show anything in the Device Manager for it until I install the driver for it. Once I do that it shows up but I get a message telling me it's not on too. I then click it on via the system tray icon.

sammy5000 · Answer

thanks, morblore - i just got it working. Apparently, there was a "Wireless 380 Bluetooth Module" in the laptop even though it wasnt seen in Device Manager. I went into the BIOS, and saw it was set to ENABLED - just for giggles, I set it to DISABLED, restarted, and what went away was the WiMax 6250 entry in Decivce Manager. I restarted, went back into BIOS, and set it back to ENABLED, and rebooted. Magically, the lappy starts recognizing that there is a new piece of hardware and it shows up on Device Manager as an Unknown Device. I install the BT 380 driver from drivers page, and voila, bluetooth is setup.

what I cant understand is why it didnt show up in the first place when it was set to ENABLED in the bios initially all along. I guess maybe the order of loading the drivers after the reisntall may have screwed up the prioritization of it. regardless - water under the bridge at this point. Thanks for your support/help.

morblore · Answer

thanks, morblore - i just got it working. Apparently, there was a "Wireless 380 Bluetooth Module" in the laptop even though it wasnt seen in Device Manager. I went into the BIOS, and saw it was set to ENABLED - just for giggles, I set it to DISABLED, restarted, and what went away was the WiMax 6250 entry in Decivce Manager. I restarted, went back into BIOS, and set it back to ENABLED, and rebooted. Magically, the lappy starts recognizing that there is a new piece of hardware and it shows up on Device Manager as an Unknown Device. I install the BT 380 driver from drivers page, and voila, bluetooth is setup.

what I cant understand is why it didnt show up in the first place when it was set to ENABLED in the bios initially all along. I guess maybe the order of loading the drivers after the reisntall may have screwed up the prioritization of it. regardless - water under the bridge at this point. Thanks for your support/help.

" regardless -water under the bridge at this point " Amen to that. Glad you got it working

seegeekrun · Answer

I wanted to note here that this thread had the best suggestion of the search results I found for the missing Bluetooth functionality.

This may not align with the OPs machine, but I have an M14x and could not figure out why bluetooth was not showing up. It has the Wireless N-2230 chipset, which does have BT.

Long story short-- Disabling this in BIOS > restarting, Re-enabling in BIOS > and then it showed.

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