Bluetooth... how to??

[corsair]

Hi everyone
This is a newbie question, about how to set up a bluetooth connection to facilitate communication between PC and mobile phone. I would first of all be required to attach a bluetooth adapter (or whatever you call it) to the pc wouldn't I? I have looked in the device manager>> Network adapters and it doesnt list anything other than my ethernet card so I take it that my pc doesnt have an inbuilt hardware/port for setting up a bluetooth connection? (Im not sure how to find out whether I have bluetooth connection gizmo on my pc). I assume that once I do put in the necessary hardware, I would be prompted by Windows to install the driver? If someone could just put in a quick 'how to' , I'd be grateful. I am sorry if this question is too dumb or something.

[DavidHB]

Hi, Corsair

I'm nearly as new as you with Bluetooth, but here goes.

Typically, desktop PC motherboards don't have Bluetooth capabilities, but quite a lot of laptops do. I think you are right to assume that you don't have the connection on your machine, but a search in Device Manager and (if you have it) your computer's documentation should confirm this.

Assuming you need to add the capability, the best thing is probably to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter, which should come with instructions. As this is a network device, I'd try to run it directly from the PC rather than through a hub. I'd also try and buy it from someone who can give you informed support.

Judging from my experience with mobile phone Bluetooth devices, linking is pretty easy. There will however be security implications you will need to read up on, but those, I am afraid, are outside my area of expertise.

I hope this helps, and encourages some fuller responses.

David

[dai]

i just got one
ran the software disk and plugged it in

[johnwill]

The only issue is the capability of the phone. I had a RAZR, and I could connect it to my computer with BT, but I couldn't actually get the Motorola Phone Tools to deal with it. OTOH, plugging the USB cord in worked with no issue.

As far as BT adapters, www.dealnews.com has bargains on them all the time, you shouldn't have to pay more than $10 for one.

[corsair]

Thank you everyone,for the quick replies :)
DavidHB,sir, my computer is just a assembled one and I couldnt find anything about the bluetooth in the motherboard manual. Btw now I am wondering what a 'hub' is now. (Tried searching the net but I couldnt understand the techie talk hehehe.) Thankyou for the detailed reply sir.

dai, sir, you mean that you just got a USB adapter and just ran the driver and plugged it in?Thank you for the reply,sir

johnwill, sir, the phone I was fiddling around with is a Nokia, and I think I can download Nokia PC suite off their site right? Ty for the tip about it not being too expensive to buy an USB BT adapter, sir. (10$ sounds good hehe). Thank you for taking the time to respond, sir

[dai]

i only paid $us9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...TabStoreType=0

[DavidHB]

Originally Posted by corsair

Btw now I am wondering what a 'hub' is now. (Tried searching the net but I couldnt understand the techie talk hehehe.)

In networking, the 'hub' is, in simple terms, the box of electronics that connects all the computers together. This is obvious with a wired network, because there has to be a network cable from every computer to that box. In a wireless network, the hub is sending signals to, and receiving them from, all the connected computers, so there are no wires (of course!), but the hub is still doing the job of connecting the system together.

A 'router' is a more complex form of hub which does a lot of the system administration for you; essentially it sets up network addresses and suchlike so you don't have to. Often, the broadband (cable or DSL) modem is built into a router to provide internet connections to all the computers on the network.

This is not nearly a complete description, but I'd guess that it's most of the answer you need.

David

[corsair]

Thank you for replying :)
dai, sir, thanks for the link you provided
Wheeee DavidHB, tyvm sir, for taking the trouble to write down that nice understandable explanation. *saving the page for future reference*