MP 1,1-5,1 802.11ac, BT 4.0, Continuity, and Handoff Working on Mac Pro 2010

[bookemdano]

Yeah that would have been a helpful detail to include in your original post, since that is the one way your install differs from probably 99% of others who have replaced their WiFi/BT card with the OSXWiFi one.

Glad you got it figured out.

 

[Charmandrigo]

The second cable is for Bluetooth data, D+ and D-. There are several ways to connect this...

1. Connect it to the motherboard where your current Bluetooth 2.0 is connected. This would require either splicing in to the existing cable or getting a replacement cable with proper connector.
2. Connect it to an external USB port. This would require routing the cable to the outside of the case.
3. Connect it to a USB PCI-e card with internal header.

Once again, that cable is for data only. Do not connect power to it.

Can this one cable be connected on the same port the old bluetooth card is attached to the board? what I have to know first is which one of the pins are for D+ and D-
[doublepost=1556683710][/doublepost]

Went thru this entire 28 pages on this posting and found the answer to my question on page 9, post 221.
D- goes to the top pin on the original Bluetooth connector on the backplane (the connector sits vertically).
D+ goes to the 2nd pin down.

Did you had to modify the original plug from the included cable from the original Bluetooth card of the Mac Pro? Or you just attached both D- and D+ on the pins of the motherboard?

I just bought the same converter you have I just need to figure out a way to plug those two little red/black cables on the motherboard

 

[pastrychef]

Can this one cable be connected on the same port the old bluetooth card is attached to the board? what I have to know first is which one of the pins are for D+ and D-

Yes, it's possible to use the connection from the old, stock Bluetooth board but I don't know the pinout.

 

[JedNZ]

Check out my earlier post here
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...0-keep-updating.1748061/page-47#post-27162501.

I worked out that the BT data connector on the mobo was a JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin. So I bought a bag of them on eBay. When holding the connector in the vertical position (lined up to plug into the mobo connector), only the top two wires are required - the bottom two can be removed. I also purchased a connector to plug into the D-/D+ port on the mini PCIe adapter, which has two wires. I added some extra wire length to these wires to reach across to the BT mobo connector and soldered the two wires to the two wires on the JST SH — D- is the top wire and D+ is the next one down.

 

[missmercy]

Check out my earlier post here
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...0-keep-updating.1748061/page-47#post-27162501.

I worked out that the BT data connector on the mobo was a JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin. So I bought a bag of them on eBay. When holding the connector in the vertical position (lined up to plug into the mobo connector), only the top two wires are required - the bottom two can be removed. I also purchased a connector to plug into the D-/D+ port on the mini PCIe adapter, which has two wires. I added some extra wire length to these wires to reach across to the BT mobo connector and soldered the two wires to the two wires on the JST SH — D- is the top wire and D+ is the next one down.

I've been trying to get an answer from OSXWIFI about the "custom USB cable", which I beleive is what you refer to above. I bought my kit (external USB connection ONLY) and then a few months later the kit included the cable making the install totally internal. Yes, the leading edge, bleeding edge!

I've sent a couple of emails to OSXWIFI asking if I can just buy the "custom USB cable", but have had no reply. I don't want to have to spend on a whole new kit if all I need is the cable.

I'm loathe to cut up the kit USB as I'm a bit anxious I'll stuff it up. I have NO experience with solder, but could probably get my son to help me. Anything else I need to know? With no reply from the seller, making my own internal cable kinda seems like my only option to get one of my PCI slots back, which currently has the USB cable winding out through it.

 

[Monotremata]

Yes, it's possible to use the connection from the old, stock Bluetooth board but I don't know the pinout.

Just clip the wires on the old connector, solder it onto an extension, there ya go. I bought the PCIe adapter with the little plug on the side for the power (and of course bought the 602 wifi card which won't lay flat because of it). The antenna connector actually broke off the stock BT card when I tried to remove the antenna so figured I might as well use that one. The adapter I bought came with two power cables presoldered with the adapters USB connector on it. One was wired for an internal 10 pin USB header, the other was bare so you could solder your own connector. I just clipped the wires on the old power connecter, soldered the new ones to it and made my own extension heh. Its not pretty and covered in electrical tape, but I can finally use my Logitech mouse with BT instead of the USB receiver.

Oh and yep, black wire on the top/outside pin, red wire right below/next to it.

 

[crjackson2134]

Just clip the wires on the old connector, solder it onto an extension, there ya go. I bought the PCIe adapter with the little plug on the side for the power (and of course bought the 602 wifi card which won't lay flat because of it). The antenna connector actually broke off the stock BT card when I tried to remove the antenna so figured I might as well use that one. The adapter I bought came with two power cables presoldered with the adapters USB connector on it. One was wired for an internal 10 pin USB header, the other was bare so you could solder your own connector. I just clipped the wires on the old power connecter, soldered the new ones to it and made my own extension heh. Its not pretty and covered in electrical tape, but I can finally use my Logitech mouse with BT instead of the USB receiver.

Oh and yep, black wire on the top/outside pin, red wire right below/next to it.

I believe the wire is a 2 conductor part. You can’t really (easily) restore it to proper condition after cutting. It may have worked for you, but this isn’t something that should be encouraged.

 

[pastrychef]

Just clip the wires on the old connector, solder it onto an extension, there ya go. I bought the PCIe adapter with the little plug on the side for the power (and of course bought the 602 wifi card which won't lay flat because of it). The antenna connector actually broke off the stock BT card when I tried to remove the antenna so figured I might as well use that one. The adapter I bought came with two power cables presoldered with the adapters USB connector on it. One was wired for an internal 10 pin USB header, the other was bare so you could solder your own connector. I just clipped the wires on the old power connecter, soldered the new ones to it and made my own extension heh. Its not pretty and covered in electrical tape, but I can finally use my Logitech mouse with BT instead of the USB receiver.

Oh and yep, black wire on the top/outside pin, red wire right below/next to it.

Those PCI-e adaptors shouldn't have or need additional power. The PCI-e slot itself can provide up to 75W. Those wires are probably for data.

 

[Monotremata]

I believe the wire is a 2 conductor part. You can’t really (easily) restore it to proper condition after cutting. It may have worked for you, but this isn’t something that should be encouraged.

Yeah the cable is definitely toast if I need to put it back to stock. The only reason I did it was because I broke the bluetooth module anyways, if I ever did replace it, might as well just buy the cable with it heh. Its funny cause I had a hell of a time getting the antennas on the AirPort card, yet on the stock Bluetooth module, it wouldn't come off and ripped the whole terminal off the module instead heh.

Those PCI-e adaptors shouldn't have or need additional power. The PCI-e slot itself can provide up to 75W. Those wires are probably for data.

Guess I should've said 'mini-PCIe' adapter? Its not a full size PCIe card, its the same style of mini airport adapter every one else in the thread is using. I bought the one labeled 'v3.0' all over Ebay with the little two wire terminal for the USB connection. Still might swap it for one I have to solder the USB wires too. The 602CDP card doesn't sit flat in the adapter because of the USB terminal. It works fine, but I bet it wouldn't take much pressure to snap the card off in the slot.

 

[Tastannin]

Would anyone here be willing to make the custom USB Bluetooth power cable for me? I have all the other parts and have given up on being able to crimp the JST connectors correctly. Or point me to a source for just the cable?

Thanks!

 

[JedNZ]

Just buy some JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin connectors with wires already installed, and solder these to the extension wires and connector that connects to the mini PCIe card that the BCM94360 WiFi ac/BT4 card sits in. See my earlier post 802.11ac, BT 4.0 and Continuity & Handoff are working on Mac Pro 2010 (Keep Updating).

 

[Tastannin]

@JedNZ - thanks, but I don't have soldering skills & don't have time to try to learn, hence my asking for help with the custom cable. I'm willing to pay for a cable.

 

[missmercy]

@JedNZ - thanks, but I don't have soldering skills & don't have time to try to learn, hence my asking for help with the custom cable. I'm willing to pay for a cable.

Yep I am also willing to pay for a custom cable, if anyone out there has the time and inclination.

 

[JedNZ]

I'm going to be making a new BT wire extension for my other cMP. If I get the time I might solder up a couple of spares which I'm happy to share with anyone in NZ who might be stuck for one.

What I'm still looking for is a mini-PCIe adapter that allows the BCM94360CD to be installed with the aerial plugs on the top (not underneath), just like the OSXWIFI one (so the orientation the other way around). If anyone know where to get a hold of these I'd be more than happy to buy a bunch and make up the BT wiring and sell these like OSXWIFI does, but for a lot less.

 

[crystalidea]

@JedNZ
did you buy this item? Thanks for all the info you post.

 

[JedNZ]

@JedNZ
did you buy this item? Thanks for all the info you post.

Yes, exactly that model. I note they’re US$15 more now than when I last purchased them.

 

[crystalidea]

@JedNZ, I also ordered this card from ebay. Can we use this 24'' 60cm U.FL IPX Male to ipex Female Cable for Bluetooth? I believe it's the same as the osxwifi (he asks 13$ for it)

 

[JedNZ]

@JedNZ, I also ordered this card from ebay. Can we use this 24'' 60cm U.FL IPX Male to ipex Female Cable for Bluetooth? I believe it's the same as the osxwifi (he asks 13$ for it)

Yes, that's the one I'm fairly sure. I got the 80cm version and it's slightly too long, but tucks up behind the cage area okay. It connects to the BT aerial which weaves its way up behind the backplane, behind the PCI lanes.

 

[crystalidea]

Yes, that's the one I'm fairly sure. I got the 80cm version and it's slightly too long, but tucks up behind the cage area okay. It connects to the BT aerial which weaves its way up behind the backplane, behind the PCI lanes.

thanks. Now the last thing I need is the "Micro JST 1.0mm SH 4-Pin" cable you mentioned earlier, right?

 

[JedNZ]

thanks. Now the last thing I need is the "Micro JST 1.0mm SH 4-Pin" cable you mentioned earlier, right?

Yes, that's what you connect the data D-/D+ wires from the mini PCIe adapter that the BCM94360CD WiFiac/BT4 card sits in, to the connector on the motherboard that Apple's BT module connected to. There are some photos and illustrations much earlier in this forum that detail this quite well.

Just remember this: when you orientate the JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin plug into the motherboard port, it fits vertically. So, when plugging this into the motherboard port, the top wire (the far right one when holding it horizontally) is D-, and the next one below/beside it (the 2nd one from the right when held/looking at it horizontally) is D+. But for goodness sake, I strongly recommend removing the bottom two other wires (the toe left-most wires when holding it horizontally) - they deliver current so you don't want exposed wires flopping around touching other components.

Maybe this diagram I whipped up (from the official manual) will help explain it better visually.


CORRECTION updated 11-Aug-2019: I strongly suggest people don't butcher the original BT module cable itself – instead, I recommend you buy a JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin connector. [I erroneously stated the JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin – this is wrong. The correct connector is a JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin.

Here's one on eBay. Search yourself for the best seller and price.


And to clarify: if your mini PCIe adapter has a connector for the D-/D+ like this one


then the correct connector to it is a JST SH 1.0mm 2-pin.

Here's one on eBay. Search yourself for the best seller and price.

 

[Monotremata]

@JedNZ, I also ordered this card from ebay. Can we use this 24'' 60cm U.FL IPX Male to ipex Female Cable for Bluetooth? I believe it's the same as the osxwifi (he asks 13$ for it)

Thats the exact same cable and vendor I bought mine from. Still tells me 'You bought this item' when I click on the link hah. Said it was supposed to take like 3-4 weeks to get here but it didnt. After about a week I got tired of waiting and ordered a couple off Amazon. They all showed up the same day, go figure. I used the ebay one and its working just fine.

 

[cdf]

@JedNZ, this thread seems to provide two options for the USB connector JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin and JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin. Could you please clarify?

 

[tommy chen]

JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin is the right one

 

[JedNZ]

@JedNZ, this thread seems to provide two options for the USB connector JST SH 1.0mm 4-pin and JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin. Could you please clarify?

My bad - very sorry for getting this wrong. I can see now that the correct connector is the JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin.

I've looked through my Ebay emails and can see I purchased the JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin in October 2016, and the JST SH 1.0mm 2-pin (for the mini PCIe adapter) after that.

This link has excellent descriptions of all the parts plus photos.
802.11ac, BT 4.0 and Continuity & Handoff are working on Mac Pro 2010 (Keep Updating)

 

[cdf]

After measuring the original connector with a digital caliper, I'm leaning towards 1.25mm. But it's difficult to say...