Connecting printer via Bluetooth - serial/COM port

[BigCatAndy]

Hello everyone,

recently I purchased used Olivetti Simple_Way at eBay. The printer has an option to connect via Bluetooth. Yesterday I tried to set up this connection, but I failed. The manual describes the process as follows:
(1) notice the COM port assigned to Bluetooth (in my case it's COM5)
(2) start "Add new printer wizard..."
(3) select in the list of ports the BT-COM-port
(4) with "Next"-"Next".. complete the installation (the drivers for the printer were already installed, since I also tried the USB connection to the printer).

I did everything. When trying to print the test page, I become an error message, nothing comes out. I use standard Bluetooth stack by WIDCOMM, shipped with T43p. I use BT to communicate with my cell phone and mouse.

I have a feeling, that it has anything to do with security settings of the Bluetooth. For instance, the COM-port uses insecure connection (I switched off the check-box in the options), but printer has a PIN for BT connections (although I deleted the digits). Should I pair the devices before sending a document to the printer? Should I set the printer as trusted? If yes, how can I do it?

Has anyone tried to configure the BT printer at all? Did it work? I would appreciate any help.

Cheers,
Andrey

[GomJabbar]

I am not a bluetooth expert by any means, but I have learned a couple of things. First, double-check that your drivers are installed correctly and that you are not using the Microsoft bt stack. To have full functionality you need to use the proper bt stack. Verify this in Device Manager.

I could have an older bt radio in my T42 than you do in your T43, so my setup may be a little different. See the following post of mine for how I got my bt drivers properly installed. On my sytstem, in Device Manager under Bluetooth Devices it shows IBM Integrated Bluetooth III. The driver is shown as WIDCOMM.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 69#p276869

I do believe you will need to pair your computer to the printer before you can do any printing with it.

In the following post I show how I got my Canon MP600 printer to work over a WiFi wireless connection in XP. Perhaps setting up a bluetooth printer is similar.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 34#p331434

[BigCatAndy]

Hello GomJabbar,

thanks for your response. In the meantime I could resolve the issue. Actually, I did nothing else but just downloaded new version of the WIDCOMM stack from Lenovo site (I use WIDCOMM stack. I have MS stack installed on my company's laptop - it sucks). Afterwards I simply started the "Add new printer..."-wizard, and choose the "Bleutooth printer" option. The wizard created new COM port (as client), made pairing, and now I have my Olivetti running as BT printer without cables.

You must connect to the printer before you start to print, but it is just a mouse click in the "Bluetooth Neighborhood", since I created a shortcut/link to the printer. Right-clik the shortcut, say "Connect", wait untill it gets green, and print...

Cheers,
Andrey