bluetooth headset works sporadically for some applications

[stuffeverywhere]

I'm really confused by this one. I use a bluetooth headset with the T60, using the latest version of ThinkPad Bluetooth with EDR (version 2.1.211.299). after connecting to the headset, if I bring up the windows media player, it works reliably. I can go to the control panel, and play a sound, and it works reliably. If I visit many (most) radio station websites that let you listen live, the headset works occasionally, and when it doesnt, the audio plays through the T60 speakers instead of the headset. The frustrating part is that the same websites will occasionally work! I've tried reinstalling the drivers, and on at least one occasion, it seemed to work, then the next time I tried it (within an hour), it wouldnt. sometimes it will work after a reboot, but most times it wont. I havent been able to find any specific sequence that works so that I can listen to online radio with the headset. But I'd sure like to.

Dan

[stuffeverywhere]

I guess it was only a matter of time. I figured out the answer. When IE browser comes up, it somehow remembers what the current audio device is. so if you bring up the browser *before* you connect the bluetooth headset, then the browser still thinks the audio device is the built-in speakers, and uses those, even though the current output device is the bluetooth. The solution is to simply close all your browser windows, then open a new browser *after* you've connected to bluetooth, and then open the online radio websites. Is it a bug or a feature? I dunno.

Dan

[jeffm]

Thanks for posting the solution. Which headset are you using?

[stuffeverywhere]

I'm using IOGear model GBE211. It took me awhile to figure out how to get the headset to connect reliably too. The difference between the Micro@#$% bluetooth and the thinkpad specific bluetooth causes all kinds of problems, since it is easy to get confused over what procedure you follow to connect. basically, once you've paired the headset, to connect, you have to follow the following steps, in order. change a step, and you end up having to re-pair. of course, some of the audibles might be configuration specific, and I cant claim to know where all those config settings might be.

1. turn on the headset, the thinkpad bongs at you to say that the headset is trying to connect,
2. you *must* wait for the headset to "short bling" twice in your ear after 15 secs or so.
3. double clik on the headset on the My Bluetooth Places. a connecting popup will appear on the thinkpad screen.
4. wait for the headset to "warble-ring" in your ear.
5. clik on the answer button on the headset.

now you're connected. violate the steps and you're screwed

you can put the headset on standby by pressing the hangup/answer button, and then resume by pressing it again.

Dan

[jeffm]

Interesting, I don' t know a lot about BT headsets. So, this cellphone headset works as a "standard" headset allowing you to listen to your computer? Do you have it paired with your phone at the same time?

[stuffeverywhere]

actually, I'm a bit behind on my phone updates. I havent tried using it with a phone yet. Real Soon Now. So I cant say if it is possible to use with two devices at a time. I'm guessing I'd have to disconnect from the PC before I could connect to a phone, and I dont know if you'd have to re-pair. But yes, I think most bluetooth headsets are *supposed* to work with puters. in fact, this headset is supposed to work with VOIP applications like Skype, or IM voice. I have used the microphone with IM voice. The user manual talks about connecting to a puter, but of course, the instructions are oriented towards the Micro!@$% bluetooth, and not the thinkpad bluetooth, so the configuration and connection instructions are pretty useless for my thinkpad, which is why I had to figure them out for myself.