Simple Bluetooth Question

[taichi]

Here is a simple Bluetooth question.

Is the Bluetooth on my T60P 2.0? I ask because this is a requirement for using a VXI Bluetooth headset for Speech Recognition.

Thanks

[underclocker]

From a T60p page of the Lenovo August 2006 TABOOK.PDF:

Bluetooth 2.0 wireless / USB 2.0 interface via ICH7-M / LED indicator

[hhmcsv]

Press Fn + F5 to switch bluetooth on!

[taichi]

Thanks for both responses.

I knew how to toggle the on and off for all radios in the T60P, but didn't know the designation of the BT in the unit.

Has anyone tried using a BT headset with speech recognition on these units? The VXI is supposed to work for this purpose with 2.0, but when I tried my Plantronics Voyager Pro HD, it paired to the machine, but I couldn't make a working profile with Naturally Speaking.

The aforementioned Plantronics is a great BT for cellphones, by the way.

[TTY]

Is the Bluetooth on my T60P 2.0?

It depends on what operating system and what Bluetooth software you're using. If you have Windows XP, you can choose between using
1) Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software and
2) Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software II
With alternative 1), you get Bluetoot 2.0, with alternative 2), you get Bluetooth 1.2 speed.

If you have Vista or Windows 7, you need to use Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software II. This limits speed to Bluetooth 1.2.

Here's a link to the T60p drivers matrix. The subpages for the different Bluetooth drivers contain information on how to find out whether you have software 1) or 2) installed now:

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... MIGR-62928

[taichi]

2.1.211.299 seems to be the current driver. I downloaded the installer but have not run it yet.

When I went into device manager I could not find what driver version I have.

I am running Vista 32 Ultimate. If the VIX needs BT 2.0 to operate with speech recognition, and you say that I will only get 1.2 functionality in Vista, will the microphone work?

[TTY]

2.1.211.299 seems to be the current driver.

You refer to the current Bluetooth firmware, not software. It can't hurt to update the firmware to the current version.

When I went into device manager I could not find what driver version I have.

In order to find out what Bluetooth software version you have, please follow instructions on this page:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... MIGR-70042

The latest Bluetooth software version for T60p under Vista is 6.1.0.5100. It's available with this link:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... bv05ww.zip

If the VIX needs BT 2.0 to operate with speech recognition, and you say that I will only get 1.2 functionality in Vista, will the microphone work?

Probably not. As a workaround, you could buy a USB Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth 2.1 with enhanced data rate and use that for the microphone.

[taichi]

The version of the Broadcom Bluetooth driver on my system is 5.1.2535.0. In device manager, it says I have the ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate. Does this suggest that I do not have 2.1 operating on my Vista 32 OS, and will require an external USB Bluetooth adapter for speech recognition requiring Bluetooth 2?

Thanks!

[TTY]

The version of the Broadcom Bluetooth driver on my system is 5.1.2535.0. In device manager, it says I have the ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate. Does this suggest that I do not have 2.1 operating on my Vista 32 OS...?

The following tells you that your Bluetooth hardware doesn't operate to version 2.1 specifications:

Supported ThinkPad Systems:
T60(*1), T60p(*1), T61(*1), T61p(*1)
*1: Does not work as Bluetooth 2.1 (Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate, 3Mbps), but works as Bluetooth 1.2 (1Mbps).

The above information is from the web page that i referred to earlier in this thread. Here's the link again:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... MIGR-70042

I never tried having drivers for two Bluetooth radios installed on the same computer, so i have no idea whether it will work without problems.

[taichi]

So, TTY, you think that even if I get a USB Bluetooth Adapter, the device still might not work because of a driver conflict?

Couldn't I just disable the other device/driver?

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

Have you tried the BlueSoleil BT drivers? Free trial, but you then have to buy them if they work.
http://www.bluesoleil.com/Default.aspx

There's some (hopefully) useful advice in these posts:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/29559 ... set-laptop
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/788012.htm (look for posts by ChinaGuy and JustClaire)

[TTY]

So, TTY, you think that even if I get a USB Bluetooth Adapter, the device still might not work because of a driver conflict?

Couldn't I just disable the other device/driver?

That's what i would do. Disable built-in Bluetooth and give it a try with USB Bluetooth radio.

[taichi]

Danke, TTY. I'll look for a good USB BT adapter.

[taichi]

TTY:

I've been looking around for the best, most compatible BT adapter, and am looking at this one:

Cirago BTA-6210

It seems that it's often hit and miss with these adapters, with some experiencing difficulty with Vista and 7, and others just not playing nicely with some devices.

Any thoughts?

Danke

[TTY]

Cirago BTA-6210

If you know that you'll never use the microphone farther away than 33 feet from the notebook, you might get a class 2 device instead - the Cirago is a class 1 device. But if there is only a slight possibility, that you will use the Bluetooth microphone at a greater distance than 33 feet from the notebook, you need a class 1 device. The advantage with class 2 devices is, that they use less RF transmit power. That could be an advantage for your health. I have too little experience using Bluetooth to be able to judge whether a class 1 device, that is operating nearby, will affect health and well-being negatively.

[taichi]

Thank you for your sagacious response.

There is so little that is definitive regarding RF and microwave radiation bombarding us at all times from communications devices that one can get overwhelmed. Or put differently, it's difficult to get real information in a world where commercial interest often trumps truthful research.

Putting that aside, speech recognition depends on good signal quality. In reading consumer reviews regarding Class 1 and Class 2 devices, it seems that Class 2 devices seem to possess less signal quality than Class 1 devices, but admittedly I am stepping into an area where I have little knowledge.

All of this is motivated by a desire not to be encumbered by wired headsets when dictating.

Gott in Himmel!

[RealBlackStuff]

Did you try my BlueSoleil suggestion?

[taichi]

Did you try my BlueSoleil suggestion?

I read the links that you gave me, but I don't think it applies for speech recognition. I think it applies to music, and possibly VOIP. For speech recognition, and the few Bluetooth microphones which will work with it, I need Bluetooth 2.1 through a USB adapter as TTY and BlueParrot VXI recommend..

But thank you for your suggestion.

[Peak2Peak]

Another possible (permanent?) solution to get Bluetooth 2.1 hardware onto your T60p is to replace the existing bluetooth daughter card (BDC) within the LCD unit with Lenovo BDC 2.1 module - FRU: 42T0969. This module is mainly intended for the ThinkPad R400/R500 & T400/T500 series as well as others.

I currently have this module installed within my T60p (as a little while ago was unable to pair with a couple of Nokia phones & headsets with the existing BDC 2.0 module (FRU:39T0497), but was able to with this module) - Can confirm works ok with slightly better range - I am not sure if bluetooth cards are whitelisted on thinkpads - (Note: When I installed this BDC module my T60p did already have a modded BIOS to accept non-Lenovo WWAN & WLAN cards)

[taichi]

If there is one thing about computers that always gives me anxiety, it's BIOS upgrades. I know they are more successfully accomplished than not, but the "nots" are all to frequent, and the reason for failed BIOS upgrades seems to fall almost into the realm of the paranormal.

But seriously, there are a lot of bricked notebooks out there...the victims of driveby BIOS upgrades.

Is the Bluetooth card socket easily accessible? The question about the upgrade that you mentioned, and whether it would work with an unmodded BIOS is an interesting one.

Maybe someone out there knows....

[Peak2Peak]

Is the Bluetooth card socket easily accessible?

You will need to remove the LCD bezel to gain access to the BDC module:
If your T60p has a 4:3 (Non-widescreen) lcd display - see pages 117/118 of the Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T60/p (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2613, 2623, 2637)
If your T60p has a 15.4-inch widescreen lcd display - see page 102 of the Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T60, T60p (6369, 6370, 6371, 6372, 8741, 8742, 8743, 8744)

Also see Lenovo ThinkPad T60/T60p Service & Support Training Videos