Keyboards and Keyboard/Mice Combo Sets

[esskay]

Howdy,

I have two sets of the Cordless Desktop MX for Bluetooth, as it is my favorite keyboard.

One set I use for my desktop and the other for my laptop.  It has worked faithfully with the internal bluetooth modules in my Dell X1 and Toshiba Portege R500.  In both cases, I was able to just take advantage of the OEM bluetooth stack and didn't even need to install the Logitech software.  Everything has always just worked properly once I paired them up.

I just got a Dell E4200 laptop with internal Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth module.  The bluetooth stack appears to be WIDCOMM, version 5.5.0.3208 (which appears to be the latest version available on Dell's support website, which is cited as v 5.5.0.3208 A04 - though I can't tell if the A04 designation makes a difference - I just received my laptop but perhaps it doesn't have the A04 version released 5 months ago?).  Firmware version is 2.2.61.173 (Broadcom).

I paired the Logitech MX900 bluetooth mouse -- works just fine as always.

I paired the keyboard (marked Cordless Elite on the back, part of the Cordless Desktop MX for Bluetooth bundle).  Had some difficulties getting the password to register once it was found, but eventually was able to type it in.  Pairing was successful and am able to be replicate the pairing after reboots.  However, *lots* of keystrokes would be dropped, and sometimes a key would act like it is stuck, repeating continuously until I hit another key a couple times.  Basically, it is unusable as a keyboard.  To make things worse, the shift, control, function keys do not work!

I tried my other identical keyboard that I use with my desktop.  While it could be discovered, I could not even get it to pair up with the E4200.

Would appreciate guidance on how to get my keyboard to work with my shiny new Dell E4200 laptop!

Thanks all.

[esskay]

OK, I downloaded and ran the latest bluetooth drivers from Dell.  It stopped, indicating that I already had the latest version running.  So, it would seem this isn't the problem.

Appreciate any feedback/suggestions.  Thanks.

ETA: I am running XP Pro SP3

Message Edited by esskay on 04-24-2009 11:40 AM

[esskay · Accepted solution]

Sometimes the simplest possibility is the one to investigate first. Batteries...

I had changed batteries in the keyboard recently! (but they were some cheapies which I've found to not be that great) The keyboard was working great with my Portege. It seems on that very same day when I switched over to the new Dell was when the batteries dropped below acceptable threshold!!

Wanted to really be sure it wasn't the keyboard so today I booted up the Portege and lo and behold the keyboard exhibited similar problems. So I pulled out the voltmeter and sure enough, 1.38V. I wondered about the other BT keyboard which wouldn't pair with the E4200 but still works fine with my desktop. 1.41V on the batteries. Looks like just on the edge, so maybe not enough juice to pair properly with the Dell but just enough to continue working with the Logitech hub on my desktop.

Anyway, put in fresh batteries, and the keyboard works great with my old Portege as always, and it functions properly with the new Dell E4200!

Sorry for the false alarm!

Moral of the story -- even if you recently changed batteries, check them anyway!