D600 and Bluetooth!

John,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Please describe the problem and what you have done to resolve it.  You can test the hardware on your system by running the Dell diagnostic test on the suspected component.  Place the System Software CD in your computer. Reset the machine and when the Dell logo appears on the screen, press and release [F2] several times until you are in the BIOS. Press the right arrow key to go to the BOOT menu or hold [Alt] and [P] simultaneously to progress to the second page. Change the boot sequence to CD/DVD drive, Floppy drive, Internal HDD. Now press [Esc] or [F10] to save and exit the BIOS.

The following knowledge base article can help you with this:

How to run the Dell diagnostic test knowledge base article.

The program should automatically load. Choose to run the test on the questionable component(s).

Bob -

Thank you for responding to my post.  It's much more indepth than a malfunctioning card or part.  Please read the following thread:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=latit_network&message.id=1400&page=1

Several people are having this same problem.   It appears to be a connector on the motherboard where the BT card attaches.

I've run every diagnostic, re-installed drivers, re-installed notebook software and then tech support wanted me to format and re-install the OS and everything else.  That is when I discovered the forum and that other people were having the same problem.

My major concern is this:  I waited 5 weeks for my PC to be built, I used it 4 weeks before it began to malfunction, so far I've waited 2 weeks on my next day repair service and I am deeply concerned that without Dell re-working the connection, this problem will continue for the life of the laptop.

Look, I am a loyal Dell customer (servers, desktops, laptops) - I'm not hating on Dell in the least.  I just do not want them to "monkey around" with me and try to fix the problem with a part the caused the problem in the beginning.

Best regards - John

same problem here, got my d600 just over a month ago.  Bluetooth was working great until today, it just stopped working with the usb device error.  Tried re-installing the driver, but no luck.

Emmfan -

Re-installing drivers will do nothing.  Try applying slight pressure to the left palm rest - if Bluetooth comes back up then you have the same issue the rest of us do.  The connector on the motherboard is defective (or that seems to be the problem everyone discovers once tech support shows up).

Contact tech support - they had me re-installing drivers, etc. until I referred the guy to the forum.  Once he read a few of these notes, he said a tech support guy would be out the next day with a new motherboard and BT card - well, apparently they are backordered; that was 2 weeks ago.  Hopefully they are using this time to redesign the connector. 

Regards - John

Thanks John.

Yeah, I read about pressing the left hand rest down to get the bluetooth to work and yes, I experience the same with the bt turning on if I apply pressure to the left hand rest.  Can't believe that would happen.  Now it's actually kind of annoying because while I type, bt keeps coming in and out with that connection beeping.  I'll call Tech support on Monday.

Emm -

Yeah, it will drive you freaking nuts watching that USB Device error popping up...don't worry, eventually it will quit working all together - sweet laptop though, I had an Inspiron 7500 which is about the size of a cinder block and weighed as much as a set of encyclopedias!  Even with a non-functioning BT, it's still a huge improvement for me.

Dell will get us taken care of...I'm confident of that.  Don't know whether you have Gold Tech Support or not, but I highly recommend it.  One support issue and it's paid for itself.

Regards - John

John,

Thanks for the encouragement.  Yeah, I was really pleased originally when I got my D600, but then I had problems with the screen (software and hardware) and now the bluetooth problem.  Plus, I've had friends who have had unpleasant experiences with Dell and customer service.  Anyways, I will keep hoping that good things will come of all of this and it doesn't drive me crazy.

This is also happening with the Inspiron 600m. Just the same way. I press firmly on the left side and "da-ding!" my bluetooth comes into existence, then I let go and "da!-ding" it's gone. Bogus. I've got Dell sending me an Airborne box right now.

I took a look at the 600m service manual and considered diving in myself, but it involves removing the power button bezel, then the keyboard, then the display assembly, then the palm rest. Many steps that can be damaging. I think I'll let the professionals do it until it's out of warranty.

Thanks for the help all. I'm glad I'm not alone. The support tech I got on the phone, Gary, was unaware of this problem until I pointed him at this forum, then he was all about getting me fixed up. Just call and reference this forum. It's faster than going through all the diagnostics with them again, since you've probably already done them.

Good Luck,
Nick

I had the same problem with the Bluetooth only working after pressing/hitting the left palmrest. I called Dell and they send a new bluetooth module and connector to a tech. Dell used Unisys in my area (Los Angeles, CA), and they had never performed this replacement before. I had to print out the service manual for them. Even then, the tech managed to break the entire module and connector off the motherboard. To add insult to injury, the tech broke the connector on to the video (LCD). I ended up calling Dell and having an a BRAND NEW system shipped out. This time, it works fine. After the tech broke my old computer, I took it all apart and noticed how easily the chip can come loose. I'm sure during transit the module came loose. I do worry that the same thing will happen again, but at least this time I can re-seat it my self. It's actually quite simple to do. Even so, a new design should be considered.

Bandit -

Yeah, once you see inside it's super-easy to re-seat the module onto the connector.  Problem with mine...where the connector is soldered to the motherboard.  One or two or all of the connections had broken loose.  In fact, when the tech had removed the old motherboard, the connector broke completely off.  So, in my case, re-seating the module would have done nothing...well, it actually broke the connector off the MB.

Anyone who reads one of these threads and are having the same problems should direct tech support to this forum.  Otherwise, prepare to go through all of the troubleshooting steps including but not limited to complete re-installing of all software - not a fun project.

Best regards - John

Well, I finally called Customer Care and they sent someone out (from Unisys) and replaced the motherboard and bluetooth card.  Everything seems to be working so far, but don't know if the connection is still vulnerable and might "break" again in a couple of months :(...here's hoping.

Emmfan -

Well, here is hoping that you don't run across the same problem.  Honestly, I think I know what created the issue (at least with my D600).

I find myself many times picking up my D600 by the left or right palm rest (whether it's open or closed).  When I'm laid back on the couch, I'll often set my laptop to my left beside me.  When I pick it up, I'm grabbing the left palm rest.  That BT card hangs off the motherboard but is supported on all sides by the case.  I would imagine that with the screen raised and grabbing only on that left corner, enough flex in the case probably occurs to eventually break the solder joints from the motherboard.

Well, that's my two cents.  I'm trying to be more mindful of how I pick-up and move my laptop to see if it will at least extend the time before I have to call them again.

Best regards - John

John:

thanks for the word of caution, I'll try to keep that in mind when I'm carrying my d600, but more than likely, I'll forget :p.

Hey Captain!

Yeah...unfortunately it's not the BT card but the motherboard.  I think Dell has finally figured that out.

Best of luck...keep us informed as to the new motherboard's performance. 

Regards - John