You could look in Device Manager and see if there is any mention of bluetooth radios. Some PCS have a switch or keystroke combination to turn on or off the bluetooth module. As neither my laptop nor netbook has such a module, I cannot give you the specifics, but I do know when my dongle is connected and recognized by Windows I see the following:
1. A bluetooth icon in the notification area.2. Bluetooth Radios appears in Device Manager, along with the appropriate bluetooth hardware. 3. In Windows XP and Vista, a Bluetooth Devices icon in Control Panel. Windows 7 should see a Bluetooth device or two in Devices and Printers. 4. If your PC comes with software such as BlueSoleil or Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba, chances are you have a PC with a bluetooth module installed.
Hope this is of some guidance. Chris Hallsworth Sent from Thunderbird On 13/07/2011 15:45, bernard georgiou wrote:
Hi Chris, Interesting stuff, but as I know little about blue tooth, how would I find out if my PC is fitted out with the blue tooth options / hardware? I am keen to go along this route, but don't really know where to start with it all. Bernard ----- Original Message ----- From: "chris hallsworth" <christopherh40@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 11:20 PM Subject: [access-uk] Review on Atomic Pico Bluetooth DongleHello all. I thought I would write in a short review of this cool little gadget, which they say is the world's smallest dongle. Nothing is further from the truth. The device, once connected, is flushed to the USB port of your desktop, laptop, notebook or even netbook. This means that for laptop or other mobile PC users, there is no worrying about damaging or snapping the USB port. It just won't happen. What comes in the package is a mini CD with Bluesoleil bluetooth software version 5.4. I have to say this is the most fantastic bluetooth stack I have ever found for Windows. I tried Widcomm and briefly Toshiba. Widcomm is a pain to use on later versions of Windows, and I can't comment on Toshiba. Nonetheless, the software is fully accessible, providing you use both the notification area icon and the Bluetooth Places application, which integrates into Windows Explorer and provides the essentials to search for, pair and connect nearby bluetooth devices, including headsets, mobile phones, even other computers. Now you may ask, "what is wrong with the generic bluetooth drivers?" The answer depends on what your bluetooth needs are. If you are like me and you want to listen to high quality stereo audio wirelessly, then this software is a must. The generic drivers do not support the A2DP specification, but the Bluesoleil software does. If, however, you want to just share files between your computer and a mobile phone, dial up to the internet, then you could get away with the generic drivers, however the Bluesoleil software is far easier and more intuitive to use. You do everything in one window, rather than through several, like Control Panel, Bluetooth Devices, etc. If you have any comments or questions regarding the Atomic Pico Bluetooth Dongle, feel free to ask on or off list. The price here in the UK was £9.14, including £2.10 delivery, and I purchased it from www.mobilefun.co.uk. I hope you enjoy this review. Chat soon. -- Chris Hallsworth Sent from Thunderbird ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
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