Back Again! CF-31W & Bluetooth

I have qty 4 of CF-31WFL52CM models that are experiencing the same issue. There is no Bluetooth hardware shown in Device Manager (Windows 7 & yes, all drivers are installed). They have the Intel 6235 card.

With card #1, the BIOS shows Wireless Configuration options, but nothing for Bluetooth under that. Wifi works fine.

With card #2, the BIOS doesn't even show the Wireless Configuration option, but Device Manager sees the card. It also connects and functions on the Internet properly, however no Bluetooth.

We also tried placing a genuine Bluetooth card from Panasonic in these laptops, and it still doesn't show up.

We also noticed that these units have BIOS version V.30L12 M37. All the other CF-31W units we have are a different BIOS version, and those work fine. I tried to flash the BIOS, but it won't go through. Looking through the release notes from Panasonic ( https://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/dl/do...7&p2=1170465&score=1.0&sri=12425196&trn_org=2), it actually states this one won't work with that program. I also tried bios_31_4_r140198.exe and bios_31_r150235.exe and it says it doesn't match my laptop so it won't do anything.

Does anyone have an idea or suggestion? Maybe this exact model it is impossible to have an internal Bluetooth working?

 

m37 indicates custom bios.
bluetooth may be permanently disabled.
crossflashing to a standard bios is more than likely impossible without removing the bios chip and using a programmer.

 

i doubt that it will work,but try a 2nd 6235 in the wwan slot.

 

Does custom BIOS keep a USB bluetooth receiver from working? or only disable internal bluetooth devices? There are tiny USB bluetooth receivers that can discreetly fit behind closed USB covers.

 

Depends on the BIOS.
I had a Toughbook here that had BIOS disabled wifi.
USB wifi would not work, but a PCMCIA wifi did work.

 

Shawn was correct. The version CF-31W we have was issued to the US Navy, and they have a customer BIOS version that disables the Bluetooth. We'll set them aside and save it for when we have a need for a non-bluetooth laptop. Thank you sir!

 

Do these have a lot of blue loc-tite poured everywhere?

The Navy computers that I have had were pretty rough.....I've seen that M37 on a couple.