Bluetooth Configuration Facts
Bluetooth is a wireless technology for creating a personal area network (PAN). A PAN is like an ad hoc
wireless network, where devices establish a communication pairing with every other device.
Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. It can switch between 79 channels to avoid
interference.
Bluetooth transmits at up to 3 Mbps. The maximum distance depends on the device class:
o Class 3 devices transmit up to 1 meter.
o Class 2 devices transmit up to 10 meters (30 feet).
o Class 1 devices transmit up to 100 meters.
Class 2 devices are the most common.
Common applications for Bluetooth include:
o Connecting peripheral devices (such as keyboard and mouse) to a computer.
o Wireless headphones and headsets used with wireless phones.
o Device-to-device connections (such as creating simple network connection between
devices of various types).
To connect to a Bluetooth device, your computer will need a Bluetooth adapter, typically connected
through a USB port. For keyboards and mice that are intended to connect to a computer, the USB
adapter is typically included with the device. To configure the device, follow the installation instructions.
The following steps are generic steps you can use to connect to Bluetooth devices using Bluetooth
Devices in the Control Panel.
1. On the source computer, install the Bluetooth device and necessary drivers.
2. Turn on the target device and configure the device so it can be discovered.
o On a keyboard or a mouse, you typically make the device discoverable by pressing a
small button on the device.
o On a Windows computer, edit the Bluetooth Settings. On the Options tab, select Allow
Bluetooth devices to find this computer and Allow Bluetooth devices to connect to
this computer.
3. On the source computer, select the target device to connect to using one of the following
methods:
o Go to Bluetooth Devices in the Control panel and click Add Wireless Device.
o On the taskbar, right-click the Bluetooth icon and select Add a Bluetooth Device.
You should see the target device in the list (if not, make sure the device is on and is
discoverable).
4. Enter the passkey (also called the pairing code) to connect to the device.
o Devices such as a keyboard or a mouse typically do not have a passkey (select the
option to pair without using a code).
o Devices without a keypad are typically preconfigured with a passkey. Check the product
documentation to find the passkey and enter that key on the source computer.
o Some devices are configured to automatically generate a passkey when a connection
request is received. This passkey will be shown on both the source and target computers.
Verify that the passkey matches and accept the connection.
o Some devices (such as another computer) must be manually configured with the
passkey. On the source computer, select to generate the passkey code, then enter that
same code on the target device.
5. After the connection is made, you will be shown a list of actions you can take on the partner
device (depending on its device type). For example, you might be able to:
o Play audio files stored on the target device.
o Synchronize personal information manager (PIM) items. PIM items include electronic
business cards, calendar items, e-mail messages, and notes.
o Browse files on the target device.
Be aware of the following when managing Bluetooth connections:
Once you make a connection to a Bluetooth device, you can quickly reconnect to that device
using Bluetooth Devices in the Control Panel. Connection settings to devices are saved for future
use.
When connecting to a Windows computer as the target computer, by default only files in the
%userprofile%\Documents\Bluetooth Exchange Folder directory are available to the source
computer. To change the directory, on the target computer, right-click the source computer and
choose Control. Browse and select the new folder under the File Exchange settings section.
By editing the properties of the target device, you can view the services supported by the
Bluetooth device. Check or uncheck services to make them available. For example, if you are
unable to synchronize items or play audio, make sure the corresponding services are enabled.
Use the PIM Interface settings to identify which types of PIM items you want to allow, and where
those items should be stored (for example in Microsoft Outlook).
