Bluetooth on a D600 doesnt work?

Update:

Finally got a hold of Tech support. Tried the "press the lower left corner" trick and still seems to act funny. Tech support dispatched onsite service last week, but as of today, still no response. I called and checked back, they say parts are on back-order. I presume many people are having the same problem ...

1L

1L -

I received a call from Tech Support saying that the part was on backorder as well.  I believe it's the Bluetooth card that is on order.  Obviously, we're not the only ones with this problem.  They told me that the part was scheduled to ship to the service techs on August 27, 2003.  Guess we'll wait.

Regards - John

Hi!

I am also very disapointed about the service from DELL. I bought a "service on next business day" and now a week is over till somebody is coming to fix the problem. And how? Changing the whole motherboard. Therefore he has to disassemble the laptop completely.
By the way: Is the problem known at DELL headquarter? Is it a bug in the whole series of the D Latitude laptop or just an manufacturing error of a few machnines? If it is a general bug, an exchange of the motherboard will probably not help fixing the problem, because in half a year or so one has the same problem! I´d never have thought this happens to a "DELL" laptop...!

Best regards
MacSteve

I will tell you about the result of the motherboard exchange...

Well, I have been extremely impressed with Dell's Support.  I have always purchased Dell equipment because I never had problems.  I feel confident that Dell will do whatever it takes to correct the problem.  I do highly recommend the Gold Tech Support...it's a real bargain.  I was a little angry when they notified me of the delay in the parts arriving...but if they've been hammered with calls because of some unknown defect, what can you do?  I guess it's a good thing that I don't use the Bluetooth on a regular basis.

Keep us informed Mac.

Regards - John

Hi!

So, yesterday the technician came and replaced the motherboard (which includes the connectors and a part of the underlaying chassis). I must say, that the technician was working very professional. So, when I critisized DELL before, I now have to compliment DELL on this. :-)
It was interesting to see the inside of the laptop. However, the problem was found very quickly. The bluetooth module is located beneath the left speaker just behind the slot. There is a small connector (fixed on the board via VERY small soldering points. This connecor fixes the chip, which is completely unadjusted except of this connector. In my opinion even small knocks can lead to small vibrations which can break the small soldering wires. So we must assume, that the problem can appear again in the future even the problem seems to be fixed now. I think (and the technician too) that this is a design bug, which has to be corrected in future models of the latitude series. So good luck to you and

best regards
MacSteve

Thanks for the update - I'm still waiting for the tech to show up.

I will try to take some digital snapshots of the problem, if the tech person comes today (last day for me to have access to a digital camera).

In any case - I guess I should invest in a better laptop bag? -- sigh, this is why I like IBM Thinkpads. They're built rock solid.

1L

Hallo again!

Bad news. :-( Problem with non working bluetooth reapeared!! The same thing! BIOS: "Not installed". I contacted DELL again to let them know and they know thinking about how to solve this problem. As I said, the whole board was changed, ecxept of the bluetooth chip itself. (Don´t know why). This is the only point that is unclear. But IF the chip works correctly (why should it work for a while, then don´t working for a few days and so on???), then it is really a design problem. In my opinion, DELL has to fix this problem and then (a few month later) substitute all the machines with this problem with the new version. We´ll see. Stay tuned... What about you?

Regards,
MacSteve

MacSteve -

You are not making me feel confident about Dell's reliability.  It's obvious they have a major design issue here.  Despite Gold Tech Support and guaranteed next day repair, I am still waiting on a tech.  I received a recorded call from Dell stating that the part was backordered and was not due to be shipped to the tech until sometime next week.  That throws the red flag up that they are having major problems with this.

I had a feeling that the problem would come back for you - of course I didn't think it would be that quick.  I am willing to be extremely patient with them if it means "FIXING" the problem.  I'm still "bluetooth free."

Regards - John

We must have bought our laptops at the same time.  Sounds like I need to get on the phone with Dell first thing tomorrow.  I waited 5 weeks for this one to be built!  @$^#!!  Hopefully they have fixed the problem!!

Regards - John

another update:

Tech support came last Friday - replaced motherboard and bluetooth module -- same problem. I called Dell - they are sending me a replacement laptop. The onsite tech told me that it's definitely a design flaw, as you can easily knock the bluetooth off the socket on the motherboard. I tried to impart this point with Dell that replacing the laptop won't necessarily solve the problem - but the guy insisted it will take care of the problem.

Sigh - I guess I'll wait and see ... who knows, perhaps the newer D600 addressed this problem (although my laptop is barely 4 weeks old --- I can't imagine that they have a new motherboard design already )

Hello,

I have a D6000 too..but have (as yet) no blue tooth perifirals...They system was built on the 13 August...so i am just rather (very even) that i have a potentially defective system without even knowing it.

Could one of you nice guys tell me how to know if it doesnt work without having any BT perifs. I had disabled BT to economise on battery (not sure if it helps...but figured it cant do any harm) but i think i will now leave it enabled to monitor it.

My system is an Ireland built system - not US, but i see that there are Europeans with this issue tooo so...ARGGG!

While on the subject of "design flaws" any of you had HDD heat ??!- sersiouly though...I phoned Gold Support (YES< VERY WELL WORTH IT) and they seemed to think it was "normal"...hmm...not for my wrist its not normal...

Thanks,

William Dowell. UK / France.

William -

On mine, there is a Bluetooth icon on the task bar beside the clock.  When functioning properly, the symbol will be white, when active (actively connected to another device) the symbol will be green and when it's not working the symbol will be red.  Plus, you'll start getting crazy USB device errors.

Believe it or not, between the time you posted and now, a tech has come out and replaced the motherboard and bluetooth card.  Once the laptop was opened, it was easy to see how the connector could be damaged.  The bluetooth is located in the left front area of the laptop...that's why pressing on the left palm rest when sometimes make it work.

I'm guessing it won't be long before I'm calling them again.  Nonetheless, I'm happy now.

Best of luck with yours William.

Best regards - John

Thanks John.

My bluetooth, when activated, is white...and seems to be working for now.. I will try and be ultra carefull with the laptop so not to move/damage the BT componant.

It does appear to be a very bad design fault....do you think the heat from the HDD has got anything to do with it? or is that just a separate botch?

Thanks again and good luck with yours!

William.

As your PC boots up, hit 'F2' and you'll enter the BIOS. If you flip through the menu (I think the shortcut is Alt-P), you'll see a section about bluetooth. If it said not installed, then you have a problem.

Incidentally, my replacement laptop came. I'm now handling it as if it's made of porcelain so it doesnt knock off the bluetooth module again ...

 

I've got the same problem with a 500m... bluetooth doesnt show up in the bios, strange usb errors and so on, but the trick with pressing the left side does not work.
are there any news whats going to happen? maybe someone from dell told anyone of you anything? i will call the support tomorrow...