Adding Bluetooth?

If I did not choose the bluetooth option on my dell, what is involved in adding it myself later on? Is it an internal card of some sort that I would need to put in??

Thanks!

 

You have two option, one is either to get a usb dongle, the other is to get a PCI mini bluetooth card.

I don't have the exact link now, but Dell has the info about installing it. Its pretty simple though, just like installing ram.

 

Yes, you can add it later. Refer to the service manual of your notebook model to see how. Most current Vostro and Inspiron lines use this Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module.

 

It all depends which laptop you have. For my Vostro 1500, the module only costs $19, and the installation instructions are in the manual.

 

I bought this £15 USB doohickey-whatsit for my works '1501'. Works like a charm, and transmits stereo to boot!

 

Hello,

This is Richard from Dell's Online Community Outreach group. Please, reply back with your Dell model. I would be able to answer all your questions.

Regards,

Richard B
Online Community Outreach

 

Thanks all. It is a Vostro 1700.

For listening to music from the laptop, what's the difference between wireless headphones (using a USB dongle??) and bluetooth headphones??

 

Bluetooth headphone technology surpasses infra-red headphone technology in terms of signal quality and FM headphone technology in terms of sound quality, and both by way of portablility and battery life whether it be through an internally mounted or USB extended module.

Plus, if you buy a set with 'HFP', 'HSP' and 'AVRCP' you can use your headphones to control the audio, and to make/receive phonecalls over your mobile phone and VOIP through your notebook instant messengers. (And as a headset for gaming on your PS3 if you wanted!)

The extra spent on a BT set is worthwhile in my opinion, and I can vouch for Sony's foray into this wireless audio transmission on two seperate product counts should you request recommendations. Well worth the investment... but don't expect them to work with an iPhone if you own one of those.

I hope that helps.


DR-BT30Q (Old set) | DR-BT21G (New set)

 

Hello,

Thanks for providing for information about your computer. The Vostro 1700 has the option of an internal Bluetooth card. Below is a photo which shows it's position on the right side, under the hinge card.



This link will provide you more information about the installation of the internal Bluetooth.

Hopefully this provides you the information you need.

Regards,

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

Hey Richard B, I have a 1520 coming in a few days. Its from the Dell Outlet. Great price on that puppy and its got a great CPU and video card. Ill be adding 2 gigs of ram and bluetooth later. Is the bluetooth connection for the 1520 similar to the 1700 Vostro? And does the light on the laptop that shows bluetooth connectivity come on non bluetooth laptops once you do add it?

 

well I guess its a yes on the connectivity part, not sure about the light. i found the 1520/1521 diagrams.

 

Can anyone direct me to the 1420 bluetooth card? I would like to purchase one also! =)

 

Hello,

The Inspiron 1520 system does have the option for Bluetooth. The internal card is located on the right side, under the hinge cover.



The Bluetooth functionality in the 1520 is pretty much the same as the Vostro 1700. This includes the bios settings and the Bluetooth indicator light, which is on the right side of the chassis. If the module is installed and activated in the bios then the indicator light will be on.

Regards,

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

Does the Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR) for Dell Vostro 1500 work with XP or only Vista?

 

well i had purchased the 1520 with Vista Premium but changed to Xp the very next day... at that time the drivers for 1520 for the Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR) for XP were not available. So all i did was use the drivers that were online for the Vostro 1500. and it worked perfectly on my XP Prof. So i'm pretty sure that the Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR) will work on XP as well.

 

Note! I ordered the Bluetooth module for my XPS M1730 to install myself later (it was causing build delays,so it was removed from my build) and I saw the exact same part number for three different prices: $24.99 for the 'M1730 Bluetooth 355 module" and $21.99 for the "Inspiron 1520 Bluetooth 355 Module", and the generic "for select Dell computers" at $31.99 (These are from both the CDN and US sites, so YMMV). Each has the exact same Vendor part number, but different Dell part numbers.

So, save yourself a few bucks and order the cheapest one!

M1730: $24.99

Manufacturer Part# : GK103
Dell Part# : 430-2529
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=430-2529

For "Dell Inspiron": $21.99
Manufacturer Part# : GK103
Dell Part# : 430-1795
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=430-1795

Then there's this charming item:

Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR) for Windows Vista for Select Dell Systems: $31.99
Manufacturer Part# GK103
Dell Part# 430-2341
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=430-2341

They all look exactly the same in all the pictures, and IIRC, they are actually USB devices that use a proprietary connector... that is, USB specifications, just not having a 'standard' USB plug. (Checks the Bluetooth module in my XPS Gen 2). Yep, says "Location 0 (USB Device)".

 

So yeah. What about the 1400/1420? Are all the bluetooth things the same?

 

I just got the 355 for my E1505 that works with XP for $19. It was a snap to but in. Just a little door in the battery compartment.

 

Hello,

The Bluetooth modular is located on the bottom of the computer.





Good luck!

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

Since we're discussing ways to install Dell parts, how about adding a Dell ATSC TV tuner to a 1720? Also, does anyone know a part number? Thanks

 

Here's the refurb BT card I installed in my 1420, easy to install, has worked great for the last several months and only cost ELEVEN DOLLARS!

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=gen&c=us&l=en&cs=&k=cw725&cat=prod

" This product is compatible with the following systems:
Inspiron 1420
Inspiron 1520
Inspiron 1521
Inspiron 1720
Inspiron 1721
Vostro 1400
Vostro 1500
Vostro 1700
XPS M1330
XPS M1710"

 

Dell BT 360 is better than 355 and it's upgradeable to 2.1.

 

I got the 355 in the mail today. plugged it in and drivers loaded automatically and im good to go. blue tooth remote works fine on it. But I want a blue tooth mouse and the one I was eyeing wasnt on sale yet so Im gonna keep waiting.

 

Has anyone added an internal Bluetooth adapter (like the 355 or 360) to an Inspiron 13 (aka 1318) from BestBuy?

I tried to talk to someone at Dell, and the only thing I got was the $99 replacement for the original, but he wasn't sure that was the correct one.

Ideas or suggestions? It is a great little laptop except for not having Bluetooth.

Thanks!

 

tdpitts

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