Bluetooth on frehsly-installed 1810TZ

Apologies if this has been addressed, I searched through the existing Timeline threads and couldn't find anything regarding this specific issue.

The first thing I did when I received my new 1810TZ last night was nuke it, kill the partitions, and start fresh. Installed my copy of Win7 Pro, and everything was good. All the drivers set up without issue.

Except the Bluetooth ones.

When I first ran the BT launcher, it said it couldn't find BT on my computer, and quit. So I dug into the folders and ran the installers manually.



As you can see, Windows apparently agrees that I have BT installed. In fact, after manually installing the drivers, running the BT launcher brings up a Repair dialogue. For all intents and purposes, Windows seems to be happy with my BT drivers.

Except that Windows itself won't run any Bluetooth software. When I type "Bluetooth" in the Start Menu box, I don't see options for "Add Bluetooth Devices" and the like. There's likewise nothing under the Control Panel, nor anything in my Programs lists.

If the drivers (supposedly) installed correctly, and the OS installed without incident, why can't I set up any Bluetooth pairings?

 

You don't have a hardware wireless switch set to off do you ?

 

I smack the hotkey (Fn + F3) and there's no discernible change. Normally you see a little icon flash on the center screen for a second to let you know the keypress registered. I get nothing. No indication whatsoever that my keypress did anything.

Ditto for the status light at the base. It stays dark no matter what.

 

Hope that fixed it, of course that model variant may not have Bluetooth ? In the UK some store retailers downspec graphics cards and drop bluetooth in their own identicaly named models to stay competitive with on-line . . buyer beware

Not being rude but hard fought experience on both sides of the counter says :

The VERY first thing to do is make a full HDD image onto an external HDD. this invaluable for warranty returns or when you come to sell it on . .

The second thing to do before unstickering etc was boot up and carefully check absolutely everything very very carefully in case DOA or warranty return was required . . or the Bluetooth adapter was never installed, or the screen has a dozen missing pixels etc. Reboot and Leave running memtest etc for a while. Run the battery down once. Run chkdsk on the HDD. see if all the keyboard keys work, and the webcam, and the speakers. (Remember your supplier is not going to be too interested in warranty work on a laptop that cannot be shown to be defective in factory fresh restored condition. They will charge you many bucks for restoring a factory image before doing the free warranty repair if any is needed)

The third thing to do was make/burn the Acer recovery DVDs one of which includes proprietory drivers and non downloadable applications for re-install. - you will be lucky to get this disk for free elsewhere but here is a good place to ask.

The forth thing to do was capture the OEM windows keys and media licenses from registry etc for reinstall if the same versions are to be used.

The fifth thing to do (if at all) was what you did first )

 

The drivers have installed - but cannot find the hardware. Is bluetooth mentioned on the printed spec label on the side of the box ?
Are there any yellow triangles in Device manager ?

 

EDIT: Looks like I was wrong. I was certain that it had Bluetooth, but all specs I dig up now make no mention of it. Which is odd because I could have sworn that the bluetooth light was going when I first booted it. Likewise, it makes no sense that it wouldn't have BT because there's a status light and the Acer website offers BT drivers for the 1810TZ. Regardless, nothing on Newegg or Acer.Com make mention of the 1810TZ having BT capability, so I must have been completely mistaken.

Now I just feel silly. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

 

Yep, the only people I know who like the factory configuration are the warranty and support depts . . . but that is quite a big but.

Never mind.

I see some models of 1810 have BT and some don't. Check box lable and exact model reference (all of it) online

Assuming though that you remember right and the BT light was on thereis another thought :

I know on my Laptop the hardware buttons don't work until you install launch manager from the Acer website . . While there download the acer versons of the bluetooth drivers if you are not currently using them

 

Never mind.

I see some models of 1810 have BT and some don't. Check box lable and exact model reference (all of it) online

Assuming though that you remember right and the BT light was on thereis another thought :

I know on my Laptop the hardware buttons don't work until you install launch manager from the Acer website . . While there download the acer versons of the bluetooth drivers if you are not currently using them[/QUOTE]

 

I've actually been unable to find copies of the Launch Manager. The recovery partition didn't let you copy the installers (you had to re-image the whole drive to get them back) and I can't find them on the Acer website. But maybe I just need to dig harder.

 

Check the full acer part numbers eg in the Uk AS1810TZ-414G50n Part NumberLX.PM502.075 does have BT, but cheaper specs do not

 

Launch manager Maybe it doesn't use it . . I have totally different model

If wiFi switch is working I guess it doesnt need it.

You can get a bluetooth dongle that barely sticks out of the usb port for $10 so it is not a disaster if it was never built with BT

 

Umm you have tried the hardware switch on the front underside? Might be blind but I only see you make mention of trying the F keys.

 

Nety

Indeed, That was my first question but don't know that laptop. OP has not confirmed he has a part number that is built with BT or that it is referred to on the spec label . . .