Mac OS X 10.4.9 Special Report: Bluetooth device issues

Several users have experienced problems with Bluetooth devices not being recognized (discovered) under Mac OS X 10.4.9. This problem is not without basis, as the update makes modifications to several critical Bluetooth files, including perhaps most importantly the Blutooth I/O kernel extension (/System/Library/Extensions/IOBluetoothFamily.kext).

MacFixIt reader Timothy Turner writes:

"The Bluetooth keyboard isn't discoverable (after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.9)"

Another reader adds:

"Yesterday, I upgraded to OS 10.4.9. Today, my iMac G5 1.8GHz computer has had problems keeping in touch with my Apple Wireless Mouse via Bluetooth. Bluetooth Setup Assistant does not find a discoverable mouse on the first try, but succeeds eventually. The mouse does not always reconnect after sleeping the computer."

Fixes

Rediscover device(s) The most commonly applicable immediate fix for problems with Bluetooth device recognition after an incremental Mac OS X update is simple rediscovery of the afflicted device(s). You can accomplish this by going to the Bluetooth menu item (if it is enabled) and selecting the device or the "Setup Bluetooth device" option. Alternatively, go to the "Bluetooth" pane of System Preferences and select your device from the list, or press the "Setup new device" button.

Delete Preferences folder Try dragging the folder /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration to the Trash, then restarting and re-attempting access to your Bluetooth devices.

Reset PRAM/NVRAM In some cases, resetting your Mac's PRAM (parameter RAM) and NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) via the following process can restore Bluetooth access:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Turn your Mac back on, while holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys simultaneously.
3. Allow the startup chime to repeat twice, or listen for your Mac to perform a restart process twice, then release the keys.

Deactivate, Reactivate In some cases this issue can be resolved by simply going to the Bluetooth pane of System Preferences, then deactivating Bluetooth and subsequently reactivating it again.

Resetting the PMU/SMU Some users have reported that resetting their systems' PMUs or SMUs (depending on model) solved this issue. Apple provides details for performing the reset procedure in the following Knowledge Base documents:

• #14449 (for PowerBooks, iBooks)
• #303319 (for MacBooks, MacBook Pros).
• #300341 (for Power Mac G5)
• #301733 (for iMac G5)

Index:

• Release notes
• Update procedure recommendation
• Common workarounds for when things go wrong post-update
• Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.8 (uninstalling Mac OS X 10.4.9)
• Files modified by this update

• AirPort: Loss of connectivity, card not recognized, more
• Application launch problems
• Bluetooth device issues
• Classic: Will not run, other issues
• Desktop icons missing
• Disk images not mounting
• Eject key issues: Longer duration before action takes place
• External optical drives: hardware errors
• Final Cut Pro/Express: Capture issues, performance concerns
• Finder persistently crashes and re-launches
• Frozen windows
• iSync issues/general synchronization problems
• Mail.app: junk filters not working
• Microsoft Office: Various issues
• Networking problems with Mac OS 9 systems
• Persistent booting into Windows
• Printer problems, fixes
• Problems starting up
• Quicken: .Mac backup failure: Fixes
• Resolved issues
• Secure site access broken: fixes
• Segmentation faults
• Server connection drops
• Third-party device issues (Nikon Capture NX, Griffin AirClick, more)
• Update to Final Cut Pro 5.1.4 for best performance
• Volume significantly louder: boon for some, drawback for others
• VPN connectivity issues
• WWAN update included, how to remove

Resources