having problems with bluetooth travel mouse on new inspiron 1721

Hi. Just got my first laptop and new to these forums.

About 2 weeks ago, I got an Inspiron 1721 with bluetooth capability and the bluetooth travel mouse. I dont have an actual model number for the mouse, but it's the one offered in their computer bundles, and is listed on the invoice like this:

430-2350 Dell Bluetooth Travel mouse

From day one, this mouse has continually lost contact with the computer. It generally happens after the computer is shutdown/restarted or goes to sleep/gets awakened. It doesn't happen every single time, but maybe every 2-4 times that I shut down/restart/put asleep, it will happen. When it happens, the mouse has no function (obviously), and in the bluetooth control panel, there will be no device listed. When I restart the computer again, sometimes the mouse will work - other times, it still has no functionality, but now the device will usually show up in the bluetooth control panel. If I then remove the device through the control panel and then add it on again, it will restore fuctionality. This all happens with the mouse never more than 1 ft away from my computer. I have tried reinstalling the disc that came with the bluetooth mouse, but this seemed to do nothing. Dell has sent me a replacement mouse which does the exact same thing.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what may be wrong or what to do?

Also, Dell is offering to give me a discount to try a different mouse. Does anyone have suggestions for another bluetooth or other wireless mouse that they like a lot that I might consider?

Thanks

 

bump for the evening people

 

Is there any help out there

Even if you dont have a clue what the problem is that I'm having - maybe just recommendations of a different bluetooth mouse to try?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2605748#post2605748

yeh im having this exact problem as well. really irritating.

 

Forget the blue tooth, try the Logitech VX Nanao. It works better than a corded mouse..flawless.

 

I uninstalled the software that came with the Mouse and installed Logitechs Mousewares 4.40, problem gone! Make sure you use passkey enabled 0000, its located on the bottom of the mouse. I also disabled the touchpad when a usb/external mouse is connected(it works for the BT mouse as well).

 

Hi All,

I had the same problem which appears to have been solved by using 0000 for the passkey in the Bluetooth dialogue box, which is contrary to the instructions (use no passkey) that came with this mouse.

Credit is due elsewhere, but it took me a long time to find that solution and hopefully this will save some time for another.

Regards,

Jeff Schaefer

 

I keep seeing this suggestion about a passkey of 0000. That makes no sense. All that does is lock me out of my mouse and ask me to type in a passkey on the mouse. Well the mouse doesn't have a keypad to type a passkey in.
Maybe I'm missing something here. Any enlightening would be appreciated.

 

Did you have to purchase the Mousewares software? If so, that seems counter productive to me. I have no intention of paying another cent for something that should just plain ol' work in the first place.
By the way, in my humble estimation all that I have read and researched on this issue (and it's a big one from what I hear) seems to point to one conclusion -- something in Windows Vista doesn't jive with the Dell BT Travel Mouse. I suspect the blame would be as allusive as pinning blame on Ford or Firestone for all the rollovers that occurred by Bronco customers.
I'm no computer guru but I suspect somebody who is ought to be looking at the communication occurring between Vista and the Dell BT mouse -- lost in translation.