Bluetooth Issues - 2008 Mac Pro

[JurgenWigg]

Hi All!

I recently changed cities and unfortunately, my current situation puts me on the opposite end of the house from the router (no ethernet available). I installed an airport extreme card in my 2008 Mac Pro (running 10.8.2), and had some connectivity issues. Put an airport express in my room to boost the signal and have so far had much more stable internet than I did before.

Unfortunately, since the move, my bluetooth has become very erratic. It can (sometimes) pick up the signal from my trackpad and mouse, more the trackpad than the mouse, but the cursor movements are very erratic. I tested them both with my laptop and they work fine. The system report tells me the bluetooth card is installed ok, software is up to date.

I went to delete the com.apple.bluetooth.plist file, but it was not there. Could that have something to do with this?

The only thing I can think of is something to do with the wifi install, since that's the only thing that changed, but I suppose it could also be something unrelated. Thoughts?

 

[GGJstudios]

The only thing I can think of is something to do with the wifi install, since that's the only thing that changed, but I suppose it could also be something unrelated. Thoughts?

As you're in a new environment, there are many possibilities for interference with your wireless signals.

AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of interference

 

[JurgenWigg]

As you're in a new environment, there are many possibilities for interference with your wireless signals.

AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of interference

Since I can use them with my macbook in the same location, would that make interference a less likely culprit?

 

[GGJstudios]

Since I can use them with my macbook in the same location, would that make interference a less likely culprit?

That sounds reasonable.

 

[sailmac]

My 2008 Mac Pro (as do many other Mac Pro models/years) has dismal BT antenna performance. The case and antenna don't play well together in many environments.

I tried switching antenna connections and many other suggestions you'll find in the forums (if you dig), but my BT problems instantly resolved when I spent $5 on eBay to buy a BT dongle and inserted it into a USB port on the back of my display.

I recommend trying that before spending time on other potential solutions.

 

[monokakata]

A dongle's worth a try, for sure.

But I had the reverse problem with my 2006 1,1 -- both the BT dongles (D-link and I think Belkin) I tried were flakey (no matter whether they were plugged into keyboard, monitor, or front panel).

Then I got an internal card and only rarely had problems.

OP, have you tried fidding with channels? Or, if I remember correctly, the Airport Express has an ethernet port. Can you plug in and see what happens then?