Setting Up Bluetooth Connections with Windows 7

This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with Windows 7.

If your computer is using Windows Vista, see HP Notebook PCs - Setting Up Bluetooth Connections with Vista .

If your computer is using Windows XP, see HP Notebook PCs - Setting Up Bluetooth Connections with XP .

The Bluetooth notebook adapter makes short-range radio connections to a wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) and can access other Bluetooth-compatible devices, such as other computers, cell phones, audio headsets, a mouse, and printers.

Since the Bluetooth function connects the computer by radio rather than through cables, the devices can be moved around and remain connected to the computer. Bluetooth devices can automatically connect to the computer when they enter the computer's service area. The typical service area for computers or cell phones is about 30 feet (9 meters); however, it is only about 3 feet (1 meter) for a headset or keyboard.

If you move out of the reception area for the headset or turn it off, an error message may display:

If such an error message occurs, go through the startup and connection again.

Some, but not all, HP notebooks are sold with built-in Bluetooth wireless capabilities. The Product Specification documents that came with the computer specify if your computer does or does not have a Bluetooth device. The HP Wireless Assistant can also be used to Verify the device is installed and enabled because it only lists wireless devices that are installed on the computer.

Establish a connection and transfer files using Bluetooth

To establish a connection and transfer a file between two Bluetooth-enabled computers or between a mobile device, such as a cell phone, MP3 player, or PDA and a computer, you should:

Turn off the Bluetooth icon if the computer does not have Bluetooth
Download the HP Bluetooth driver and use the device wizard in Windows 7
Verify the device is turned on and enable HP Network Assistant and Mobility Center
Install the HP Bluetooth Software
Pair the computer to another Bluetooth computer
What can I do with Bluetooth?
Troubleshoot Bluetooth audio problems

Download the HP Bluetooth driver and use the device wizard in Windows 7

Before setting up Bluetooth connections, click HP Bluetooth driver to download the softpaq from the HP website and use the Add a Device wizard to automatically detect your bluetooth device or identify the problem.

Run the Add a device wizard by following these steps.

1. Click Start , enter add in the search field and select Add a device from the list. The wizard searches for devices to add to the computer.
2. Once your device has been detected, you are able to add the bluetooth device to your computer.

If your device was not detected, try these actions and run the Add a device wizard again:

Be sure the device is fully charged or connected to the AC adapter.
Make sure that your bluetooth device is turned on and in discovery mode. To learn how to make your bluetooth device discoverable, check the instructions that came with your device.

To manually set up Bluetooth connections with your computer, read the remainder of this document.

Install the HP Bluetooth Software

Update the drivers for your Bluetooth software available by HP. This will help your device run and perform more effectively on your computer. Click Bluetooth HP software to download the softpaq from the HP website.

Turn off the Bluetooth icon if the computer does not have Bluetooth

The Bluetooth icon may display in the system tray even if the computer does not have a bluetooth device. If you checked your specification sheet and your computer does not have the Bluetooth device, you can hide the Bluetooth icon.

To hide the icon, follow these steps:

1. Click the Show icons icon and then click Customize .
2. Under the Behaviors list, click the Show icon and notification drop box and select Hide icon and notifications .

The Bluetooth icon no longer displays in the system tray.

Verify the device is turned on and enable HP Network Assistant and Mobility Center

Most notebooks have a switch or button on the case that sends power to the Bluetooth and wireless network devices. An indicator light glows blue when the Bluetooth or WiFi communication devices are turned on. The light glows amber when power to the device is turned off. The indicator light does not glow at all when power to the device is turned off. Use the HP Wireless Assistant or HP Mobility Center to enable or disable the individual wireless functions.

Turning off the Bluetooth switch or button ends any device connection that has been opened.
Putting the computer into hibernation also turns off the Bluetooth function.

Once you have turned on your device, check see what Bluetooth devices are turned on and within range of your comuter. See the Scan for additional Bluetooth devices section of this document.

Verify the device is installed and enabled with HP Network Assistant

The HP Wireless Assistant allows you to verify that a Bluetooth device is installed and to check the status of the wireless devices on the computer. To enable the Bluetooth device, do the following:

1. Click Start , enter wireless into the search field, and then select HP Wireless Assistant from the list.
   
2. By default, the Status column shows that both of the wireless devices are either on (enabled) or off (disabled). Also, by default, the Action column does not display.

If you want to control one of the wireless devices individually, without affecting the other devices, click Properties , and then select the Independent controls for installed wireless devices option.

If you have removed the HP Wireless Assistant, it can be reinstalled using the Recovery Manager service.

1. Click Start ,enter recovery into the search field, and then select Recovery Manger from the list to open HP Recovery Manager.
2. Under I need help immediately , select Software program re-installation and then click Next .
3. Select HP Wireless Assistant and then click Next .

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the HP Wireless Assistant.

Verify the device is installed and enabled with Windows Mobility Center

The Windows Mobility Center allows you to turn Bluetooth devices on and off. To turn Bluetooth devices on or off, do the following:

1. Click Start , enter mobility into the search field, and then select Windows Mobility Center from the list to open the Windows Mobility Center.
   Alternately, press the windows key ad the letter x key at the same time.
   
2. Use the drop-down menu items in the Integrated Wireless Devices selection to turn the devices on or off.

Pair the computer to another Bluetooth computer

When the computer is configured as a host, it can discover other computers and establish connections. For security, the connections must be paired, meaning the computers use the same communication protocols and exchange a security code before transferring any files. The computers only need to be manually paired one time. After the manual pairing, the computers will either:

recognize each other and automatically connect to one another
require you to manually enter a static code before the devices will recognize each other and connect to one another

To pair the computer (make the initial connection) to another Bluetooth computer, turn both devices on and do the following:

1. Right-click the Bluetooth icon and select the Add a Bluetooth device option.
2. Select the desired device from the list of available Bluetooth devices, and then click Next .
3. Select the desired type of pairing. For best security, select the Create a pairing code for me option, and then click Next .
4. The computer will create and display a unique code. The computer also sends a request to the desired remote device, and a request message displays on the device.
5. On the remote device, click on the request message, type the unique pairing code in the code field, and then click Next to accept the code.
   

   NOTE:The request will time-out if the code is not entered quickly. Click the back arrow on the upper left corner of the window to return to the previous step and try the connection again.
6. Allow the devices time to complete the connection.
   A notification message displays on the host computer when the connection is complete.
7. Click Close to close the connection window.

The Bluetooth device on the host computer and the remote device can identify each other and transfer information.

Configure the computer as a host

To configure the computer as a host, you must set it up to broadcast its signal so that other Bluetooth devices can find and pair with it. After the host computer is successfully paired with the desired Bluetooth device, you should return and turn broadcasting off to keep your computer secure.

Before using the computer to network with other computers or access other Bluetooth devices, some basic settings should be configured. The configuration will allow the computer to act as a host and allow it to connect to other devices. Once you verify the Bluetooth switch is turned on and the device is enabled, do the following:

1. Right-click the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar and select the Open Bluetooth Settings option.
2. On the Options tab, check the following settings:
   
   Under Discovery, select the Allow Bluetooth devices to find the computer option.
   
   NOTE:You should deselect this option (after you have paired the computer to the desired Bluetooth device) so that it cannot be seen by other users to ensure the security of your computer.
   Under Connections, select both the Allow Bluetooth devices to connect to the computer and Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect options.
   If desired, select the Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area option.
3. On the Share tab, check the following settings:

   Select the Allow remote devices to browse, send and receive option.
   Use Browse to select a default folder for sending and receiving files.

The computer can now be discovered by other Bluetooth devices and allow connections between those devices.

What can I do with Bluetooth?

Transfer a file from the host computer to another computer or mobile device

When two Bluetooth devices have been paired, files can be transferred from one device to the other using standard windows functionality. To transfer a file to a computer or mobile device, do the following:

1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the file you want to transfer.
2. Right-click the desired file, select Send To , and then click Bluetooth device .
3. Select the desired Bluetooth device from the list, and then click Next .
   If the Bluetooth devices have been paired, the computer will transfer the file to the default Bluetooth document file on the remote device.
   If the Bluetooth devices have not been paired, the computer will prompt you to Enter the pairing code for the device before it transfers the file.
4. Depending on security, the device receiving the file may prompt for permission to allow the transfer.
   

Scan for additional Bluetooth devices

To scan for additional Bluetooth devices, do the following:

1. Right-click the Bluetooth icon and then select Add a Bluetooth Device to open the Add a Bluetooth Device Wizard.
2. Select the My device is set up and ready to be found option and then click Next.

Additional Bluetooth devices that are turned on and within range of your computer display.

Connect to a Bluetooth printer or serial device

The notebook can be connected to a Bluetooth serial device or printer.

1. Turn the Bluetooth devices on.
2. Install the printer software that comes with the Bluetooth printer. See the printer's user manual for instructions.
3. During the printer installation you will be prompted to select how the printer is connecting. Select the Bluetooth option. Finish the printer installation.
4. Double-click the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar.
5. In the menu bar, click Bluetooth , then Device Configuration .
6. On the Client Applications tab, find the Bluetooth serial port and note the name of the port at the far right, such as COM4. Record the name of the COM port.
7. Close the Bluetooth configuration window.
8. Click Start , enter printers in the search field, and then select Devices and Printers from the list.
9. Right-click the icon for the Bluetooth printer and select Properties .
10. On the Ports tab, check the box next to the port name you wrote down, then click OK . This enables access to the printer via the Bluetooth serial port. Test the printer by printing from any application or file.

Connect the Bluetooth audio

To configure the Bluetooth audio, you must set it up to broadcast its signal so that other Bluetooth devices can find and pair with it. After the host computer is successfully paired with the desired Bluetooth device, you should return and turn broadcasting off to keep your computer secure.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth headset.
2. Right-click the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar and select the Open Bluetooth Settings option.
3. On the Audio tab, select the desired Bluetooth device and click Connect .
   
4. Start the desired audio playback application.

Sound should now be audible through the Bluetooth headset. Depending on the particular headset model, a Properties window may be available to enable advanced features.

See the manufacturer's instructions for more information.

Troubleshoot Bluetooth audio problems

If the audio application was playing before you connected the headset, the headset may not work. Try stopping and restarting the playback application. Audio should be audible through the headset after restarting the playback application.

If stopping and restarting the playback application does not help, use the Sound application to check to be sure that the headset is working properly.

To use the sound application, follow the steps below.

1. Click Start , enter sound into the search field, and then select Sound from the list.
2. Click the Playback tab if it is not already visible.

The status of the device displays. The device with the green check mark next to it is the active device.

If you move out of the reception area for the headset or turn it off, an error message may display:

If such an error message occurs, go through the startup and connection again.

See also

HP Notebook PCs - Understanding Bluetooth Wireless Technology

HP Notebook PCs - Setting Up Bluetooth Connections with Vista

HP Notebook PCs - Setting Up Bluetooth Connections with XP

HP Notebook PCs - Fixing Bluetooth Problems