Note: This thread is about the defective internal bluetooth connector on most (if not all) Inspiron 500m/600m and Latitude d500/d600 motherboards

And the following is my story...

Two times I had my 600m replaced/repaired because of the internal bluetooth failing. Three notebooks and all have the same problem - the bluetooth works for about a month and then connection to the motherboard fails yielding the "USB Device not recognized" error. Pressing on the palm rest makes it work for a while but evenually the connection will fail. Putting mounting tape beneath the palm rest above the bluetooth to make it stable doesn't do the trick.

Any 600m or d600 (which have the same guts) owners with internal blutooth had it working for more than a month without a failure? If so, do you keep the notebook on the desk all the time? I travel with mine. Please indicate this and also if you are using bluetooth and/or the internal wi-fi card (the error is most noticeable when using the Fn+F2 shortcut to toggle the wireless devices on and off).

I'm beggining to think that all 600m's have the same problem, dell knows this but it is cheaper for them to keep this on the down low then to fix it.

Thanks.

If any one knows anything about the bluetooth problems in the 600m and the d600 please respond. I'd like to know if all, even the newer, motherboards have the same problem.

i customized a dell lattitude D600 with internal bluetooth a few months ago for my tenant... oddly enuff same problem usb not recognized error craps pop up allot. I havent tried to fix just saw it when i was configuring her wireles settings for my network. I figured it was due to her proabbly unplugging a usb device or somethign supid because shes computer illiterate but now that i see this, its quite interesting as u say it may just quite be the bluetooth. Sorry though that i dont have a solution but if helps i guess your not alone

Thanks Deviant25. Yes, that usb error is the bluetooth not properly connecting to the motherboard. Most people first notice it about a month after they get the computer when turning their wireless pc card on and off. I researched the problem on dell forums and found it to be a pretty infamous problem. However most of the posts were from a year ago so I tought maybe they solved it.

Calling up dell, speaking to a number of reps, supervisors, and top managers got me nowhere. They won't acknowledge that this is a major design defect.

And there is no easy fix like stabilizing the card because the problem lies on the motheboard connector itself.

Hi:

I'm *Very familiar* with this particular problem. I manage a fleet of over 50 laptops, 10 of which are D600s all with Bluetooth. I finally (after 6 months of persistant communication with Dell) got Dell support to admit the problem and referenced an internal "Tech Track" document with article number 61379. Note that Dell support reps to NOT have access to the "Tech Track" database, but the document refers to a "plastic tab and EMI Clip". The fix was introduced in production machines about 3-4 months ago, and it wasn't until recently that Dell had a solution for older machines.

Basically the "fix" is to replace the bluetooth card and motherboard to address the tolerance issues causing a flakey connection. (Especially when the palm rest got warm from the HD and pressure was placed on the palm rest.)

I couldn't see any difference between the new and old parts, but it seemed like the newer parts were a tighter fit. So far (knock on wood) no problems.

If you email me (not PM), I'll give you a service tag for a laptop that has the entire case history for this problem that your dell support rep can reference and get your unit fixed.

Good luck,

Ed

Thanks, I'll drop you an email to get the service tag. If you don't mind I prefer that we communicate here regarding this issue so others can see it.

How long ago were your d600's given this new fix? I've been dealing with this issue for about six months now also and have an extensive case history with them too - but that's most likely not the "tech track" that you mentioned.

Here is why I'm skeptical that dell has any real fix:
Two months ago I received a complete system exchange. Opening it up, like you, I did notice that the bluetooth card did have a tighter fit on the motherboard than the previous. However, two weeks went by and the problem appeard again. Month ago I had that laptop sent for repair. It came back with a notice indicating that the bluetooth card was replaced. The first time I boot it up, the bluetooth wasn't working. I really like to know if there is a definite solution.

I agree that the discussion should be here in this forum. However, I do not want to provide the service tag number in a public forum.

I, too, would be skeptical of the "fix". I have had the "repairs" done 3 weeks ago and one week ago. The one done three weeks ago has been flawless so far and it is on an Systems Engineer notebook and sees heavy use. The ones done one week ago have seen light use, but that will change in a couple of weeks as they get redeployed.

I didn't get very far until I got that "tech track" article. Once I had that, the gold support people made sure the fix happened. (Correctly? Time will tell.)

I wonder if the fact I'm a business with 5 years of history with gold support has anything to do with the difference in "solutions"?

Let me know if I can help.

-Ed

Hey ewodzien, I can't send you an email via this forum. You have to indicate that you want to recieve email from other members in the forum settings.

I had that issue when I first got my D600 but I had Dell replace both the motherboard and the bluetooth module. Haven't had a problem since and it has been approximately a month+...

The Truemobile 300 device is connected directly to the motherboard on the Latitude D600, while the Latitude D800 has it connected with a cable. Maybe it just get loose, according to the workarounds mentioned.

A fix could be only a matter of opening the laptop and puting some silicon glue (the kind used in the windows, strong but not really sticky; completelly insulating).

Greetings.

Is there a high risk that this silicon glue can damage the motherboard? Can you remove it afterwards like solder?

Sorry, it's not a glue and it's not the one used in windows, but quite similar.

This one comes in rods and needs a heating pistol to be applied. It melts, and when solidifies again serves as a glue. It can be removed with the hand (unless you apply lots of it) and doesn't leave any residues.

It have been used in the electronic industry for years. Completelly safe, but keep in mind that semiconductors are sensitive to heat, so don't apply too much at once.

I have the same problem. Worked for a month when new, then 3 weeks on the first repair, now just 1 week. Last time I called Dell tech wanted me to reformat/restore my hard drive, that's when I asked to speak to his supervisor.

Do those of you have a problem with the intel blue tooth card or is it just with the Dell true mobile 300, I was thinking about having them upgrade it to see if it solved the problem.

This is intolerable! Dell doesn't solve a problem and we are forced to figure it out for them.

It's the connector on the motherboard I believe because in one of the many rapairs they did they switched out the truemobile bluetooth card only and left the same motherboard. Ofcourse it didn't work from the start.

There is an intel version of the bluetooth card that fits on 600m's motherboard?

Anyway, I'm in contact with a few people (non-dell) who are tackling this issue. I'll have to check with them on the progress.

When I ordered there were 2 choices (unless my memory is failing me) for blue tooth, the intel card was about $15 more and checking the specs I couldn't see a significant difference. Just now checking the Dell site I don't see it offered.

I will be calling them soon to get this fixed again, but I want it fixed. Sending it back 3 times for the same problem takes it up a notch to Lemon laws.

BTW: Each time they repaired my 600m they replaced the system board, but not the bluetooth card.