More USB to Bluetooth cellphone issues?

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P Hoberg - 14 Apr 2006 06:29 GMT

Ok you guys, getting all wrapped up in some esoteric discussion about
bluetooth distance in my 4/8/2006 "USB to Bluetooth cellphone speed?"
discussion.

I started this new topic so I could ask my security question and another
question.

1. When I first tried the install of my IOGear gbu221 (re:
http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GBU221 ) I let XP wizard try
to do it. No success, but it did get to a point where it offered to
generate an 8 or so digit security number, that the phone then asked me to
enter. My phone rejected the answer I entered. So per your suggestions, I
used the CD that came with my device, and with a lot of help got bluetooth
working, but answered a laptop question with some "0000" pin code that the
guy at Cingular says is hard coded into my V551. What kind of security is
that? Can it be improved? What is my risk? Someone getting into my phone
or laptop without my knowledge? Or am I safe, because I would have to give
permission for them to connect to either?

2. Whenever I plug my USB device into the USB port, the XP wizard tries to
start an install. How the #&!^# can I make that thing shut up?

TIA,
Paul

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BruceR - 14 Apr 2006 09:58 GMT

Here's how to "shut the wizard up":

Rename the %WINDIR%\inf\Bth.inf file to Bth.bak before you install or
reinstall the third-party device or stack. When you rename the file, you
prevent Windows Plug and Play PNP from using that INF file to install
the Bluetooth driver that is included with Windows XP SP2. To rename the
file, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Run, type %windir%\inf
in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Right-click Bth.inf, and then click Rename.
3. Rename Bth.inf to Bth.bak, and then press ENTER.
4. Install the third-party Bluetooth driver.

For the whole story see:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;840635

> Ok you guys, getting all wrapped up in some esoteric discussion about
> bluetooth distance in my 4/8/2006 "USB to Bluetooth cellphone speed?"
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> TIA,
> Paul

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P Hoberg - 14 Apr 2006 14:46 GMT

Bruce,
I hesitate to uninstall the working bluetooth software - it was too hard to
get working the 1st time. So I guess I'm stuck, or is there another way?
Can I edit the Bth.inf file, maybe? I read the page you linked me to.
Maybe method 2 will work. I'll do a restore point 1st.
Paul

> Here's how to "shut the wizard up":
>
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>> TIA,
>> Paul

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dold@XReXXMoreX.usenet.us.com - 14 Apr 2006 19:42 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular BruceR <br@nohawaiispam.com> wrote:

> Here's how to "shut the wizard up":
> 3. Rename Bth.inf to Bth.bak, and then press ENTER.

I normally dislike hacks that involve renaming or editing a Microsoft file,
presuming that it might be reinstalled or updated at any time, including,
magically, at next boot time.

> For the whole story see:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;840635

But this hack is directly from Microsoft!
("Uh-oh", we screwed up that Bluetooth stuff... now what?"
"We can't stop the auto-installer... Let's cripple it.")

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---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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DecaturTxCowboy - 14 Apr 2006 10:02 GMT

> So per your suggestions, I
> used the CD that came with my device, and with a lot of help got bluetooth
> working, but answered a laptop question with some "0000" pin code that the
> guy at Cingular says is hard coded into my V551.

If that is correct, then I would not be able to use my own PIN of 6666
or 9999. But I can, so it isn't. I took back my IOGear and got a D-Link,
so I can't really help you out.

Now when you say the "laptop answered", it should be the other way
around. You set the PIN in you laptop first, then query the phone, the
phone asks if you want to connect to your laptop and then asks for the
matching PIN before it will connect.

> What kind of security is
> that? Can it be improved? What is my risk? Someone getting into my phone
> or laptop without my knowledge? Or am I safe, because I would have to give
> permission for them to connect to either?

Since the guy at Cingular is incorrect, these are moot questions.

> 2. Whenever I plug my USB device into the USB port, the XP wizard tries to
> start an install. How the #&!^# can I make that thing shut up?

Are you using the same port that you used when you installed it the
first time? Always use the same USB port that you originally set the
Bluetooth device for.

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P Hoberg - 14 Apr 2006 14:56 GMT

Cowboy,
The laptop asked the pin question. Absolutely! So I'll figure out to (a)
change the V551's pin (the Cingular guy said I can't), and (b) change to the
new (now secret) pin number on the laptop. A 4 digit number ain't great,
but better than nothing.
Thanks, Paul
BTW, we lived in Plano, then Allen, from 1998 to 2004 and loved it - can't
hardly wait to move back to TX!

>> So per your suggestions, I
>> used the CD that came with my device, and with a lot of help got
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> time? Always use the same USB port that you originally set the Bluetooth
> device for.

Reply to this Message

DecaturTxCowboy - 14 Apr 2006 17:16 GMT

> Cowboy,
> The laptop asked the pin question. Absolutely! So I'll figure out to (a)
> change the V551's pin (the Cingular guy said I can't), and (b) change to the
> new (now secret) pin number on the laptop. A 4 digit number ain't great,
> but better than nothing.

Oh really! Ok, that has got me stumped. I don't know that much about
Bluetooth at this point, perhaps someone else can help you out.

[snicker mode on]

> BTW, we lived in Plano, then Allen, from 1998 to 2004 and loved it - can't
> hardly wait to move back to TX!

Plano - an old Indian word for "zero lot line house plan".

Some lady commented on the radio that she and her husband could have
moved a little further north with a bigger house lot for their kids, but
it would have meant an extra five minute drive for her husband.

[snicker mode off]

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P Hoberg - 14 Apr 2006 18:17 GMT

> [snicker mode on]
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> [snicker mode off]

We moved to Allen (actually Parker, just across the road, slightly north of
"South Fork") to a 2/3rd acre home - the zero lot-line got to us...

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dold@XReXXMoreX.usenet.us.com - 14 Apr 2006 18:27 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular P Hoberg <nospamphobergnospam@att.net> wrote:

> Cowboy,
> The laptop asked the pin question. Absolutely! So I'll figure out to
> (a) change the V551's pin (the Cingular guy said I can't), and (b) change
> to the new (now secret) pin number on the laptop. A 4 digit number ain't
> great, but better than nothing.

It depends on who is "discoverable" and who's doing the discovering.
It can work either way.
In the BT wizard on my laptop, I did not make my PC discoverable by any
other devices, so the phone can't initiate the connection.

I later set something to automatic, so I don't get that prompt any more.
Now, when I start MPT, or double-click the GPRS connection, it just works.

Signature

---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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John Navas - 19 Apr 2006 06:15 GMT

>Cowboy,
>The laptop asked the pin question. Absolutely!

The laptop was asking if you wanted to use your own PIN or have it generate
one for you.

>So I'll figure out to (a)
>change the V551's pin (the Cingular guy said I can't),

There is no fixed PIN -- the V551 will ask for the PIN to use when pairing.

>and (b) change to the
>new (now secret) pin number on the laptop. A 4 digit number ain't great,
>but better than nothing.

It only applies when discovering and pairing, so the length is pretty much
irrelevant.

>Thanks, Paul
>BTW, we lived in Plano, then Allen, from 1998 to 2004 and loved it - can't
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>> time? Always use the same USB port that you originally set the Bluetooth
>> device for.

Signature

Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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P Hoberg - 20 Apr 2006 07:21 GMT

Nope, John. I put the phone into "find me" mode. The laptop asked for a 4
digit "pin" number.

The "generate" thing occurred when I originally let XP's Wizard try to set
up the bluetooth connection. The laptop gave me a few options, none of
which worked. And, I stopped using XP's bluetooth ability because of many
comments that it was no good, so I used my device install CD.

Now, if I can just get the XP Wizard to wither up and die! But since I've
been leaving the bluetooth device in my laptop, the annoyance factor has
diminished.

> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
>>> time? Always use the same USB port that you originally set the Bluetooth
>>> device for.

Reply to this Message

John Navas - 20 Apr 2006 16:24 GMT

>Nope, John. I put the phone into "find me" mode. The laptop asked for a 4
>digit "pin" number.
>
>The "generate" thing occurred when I originally let XP's Wizard try to set
>up the bluetooth connection. The laptop gave me a few options, none of
>which worked.

For you. It actually works quite well for most of us. For help, see:
"How to install and configure Bluetooth devices in Windows XP Service Pack 2"
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883259>
"How to troubleshoot Bluetooth detection and connectivity problems in Windows
XP Service Pack 2"
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883258>

>And, I stopped using XP's bluetooth ability because of many
>comments that it was no good, so I used my device install CD.

XP SP2 Bluetooth actually works very well. The only real reasons not to use
it are (a) if your Bluetooth device isn't supported or (b) if you need a
profile that isn't supported.

>Now, if I can just get the XP Wizard to wither up and die! ...

Follow instructions on disabling it. For help, see:
"How to remove Bluetooth wireless device support in Windows XP Service Pack 2"
<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;889814>

>>>Cowboy,
>>>The laptop asked the pin question. Absolutely!
[quoted text clipped - 58 lines]
>>>> time? Always use the same USB port that you originally set the Bluetooth
>>>> device for.

Signature

Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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dold@XReXXMoreX.usenet.us.com - 14 Apr 2006 18:27 GMT

In alt.cellular.cingular P Hoberg <nospamphobergnospam@att.net> wrote:

> working, but answered a laptop question with some "0000" pin code that the
> guy at Cingular says is hard coded into my V551. What kind of security is

USB headsets sometimes, maybe always, have a PIN of 0000. That might be
the only Bluetooth that your Cingular source has any experience with.

The phone pairing to the PC should use the number that you key in.

> 2. Whenever I plug my USB device into the USB port, the XP wizard tries to
> start an install. How the #&!^# can I make that thing shut up?

It is recognizing the device as something other than the device that
already has a driver installed, which is odd. You can abort that install,
go to device manager, and locate the device with a yellow exclamation point
caused by the lack of driver, and "disable in this profile". I presume
that you do actually have another driver attached to the working device,
and want to keep it that way.

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---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

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