Bluetooth network between PCs - 'A network cable is unplugged'

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mattneighbour

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1456 28-Apr-2004 23:28

Hi,

I hope someone can help me. I've just bought a laptop and was looking forward to setting up a Bluetooth LAN with my desktop, which has a TDK Systems BT USB dongle. The laptop is an Acer Travelmate 803LCib with a CSR BT module. The laptop BT drivers are WIDCOMM v 1.3.2.7 and I am running XP Pro. I am not interested in ICS at the moment.

I have constantly got the "A network cable is unplugged" for the "Bluetooth Network" entry under "LAN or High-Speed Internet" and in the system tray. When running the network setup wizard I am told to plug it in. This doesn't make any sense!! Bluetooth in general works, I can use dial-up internet with my Nokia 7650 and I can send files to my desktop. I can't get rid of the "unplugged" status of the BT LAN though!!

I really hope someone has some ideas as I want to get full use out of my BT devices.

Many thanks,

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#5222 29-Apr-2004 07:28

The network cable unplugged is normal if your Bluetooth configuration for the Network Access service is like this:

It just indicates that no device is connected to the network adapter provided. It should go away if you change the configuration to be like this:

mattneighbour

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#5362 3-May-2004 04:18

Thanks,

That solved the cable unplugged problem, but I still can't get the computers to see each other. I'm afraid I've no networking experience at all, although I did get some advice on IP addresses from a friend. Anyway, after running the network connection wizard many times I still can't see the remote machine in the workgroup, even though both computers see themselves and indicate that the BT network is connected.

It's not a life or death matter to get this to work, it's just irritating that I can't. One reason for getting built-in BT on my new laptop was that I had it on my desktop already, and it should be the most convenient way of sharing my printer.

I'd really appreciate some help, I'm sure I must be doing something simple wrong!

Thanks,

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#5365 3-May-2004 07:40

To connect one computer to another you have to decide which one is the client, which is the server.

On the client computer open My Bluetooth Places, double-click Entire Neighbourhood, and then double-click the icon corresponding to the server computer. Assuming you have already paired both computers you'll be able to see the services offered.

Double-click the Network Access service icon and if prompted for a PIN enter the PIN you've selected before.

When it tries connecting the usual dial-up dialog asking for a username and passwod will show up. Don't enter anything here, just click OK. The machines should connect.

Now, for this to work there is some configuration needed on the server side. You need ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) on and the Bluetooth adapter on the server must be 192.168.0.1, with you ISP's DNS there too. Do not use the wizards.

If the connection fails, look at this article.