View Full Version : WinXP Sp2 bluetooth vs Widcomm?
SP2 for WinXP is said to include Bluetooth support. Has anyone tried it? How do they compare to the current Widcomm drivers we all love?
LION_III
02-24-2004, 20:26
SP2 for WinXP is said to include Bluetooth support. Has anyone tried it? How do they compare to the current Widcomm drivers we all love?
I've tried XP SP2 beta v2055 and it only supports one extra profile (Serial Port) then what SP1 did. It doesn't support BT audio gateway, BT headset etc. In other words, as it is now, yes it is an option but only for people with BT phones.
I've tried XP SP2 beta v2055 and it only supports one extra profile (Serial Port) then what SP1 did. It doesn't support BT audio gateway, BT headset etc. In other words, as it is now, yes it is an option but only for people with BT phones.
So then those of us with PDAs who want to sync via bluetooth will still need the Widcomm drivers?
LION_III
02-25-2004, 11:20
So then those of us with PDAs who want to sync via bluetooth will still need the Widcomm drivers?
Again, as XP SP2 beta is right now, yes you would be better off using the hacked WIDCOMM drivers.
leemperor
02-25-2004, 20:25
Well I would love to add something of value here, but I believe Lion_III has said it all. Obviously we can't comment on the final SP2 because it isn't out yet. Looking at the beta its ok, but its not very comprehensive.
Does anyone know if there are any other stacks out there that could be used semi-universally?
Phantasm4489
02-27-2004, 18:27
BlueSoleil seems to be fairly fully featured also, but doesnt seem to have the exposure that the widcomm stack has.
The thing that irritated me about BlueSoleil was that it was practically impossible to install on my system since i dont have non-bluetooth mouse and it is very hard to drive their interface without a mouse.
is there a solution to get the widcomm sw. running on a sp2 machine?
it seems to be impossible 4 me ;-(
leemperor
05-07-2004, 19:04
yes. you need to do a manual driver update, and force the device to use the widcomm driver. details available on the newest revision of my bluetooth guide - http://www.jonsguides.com/bt/
thx 4 solving my problems ;-)
btw on some PC you need to disable microsoft built in BT support.
(services.msc => Bluetooth Support Service)
Phantom69
05-27-2004, 17:09
yes. you need to do a manual driver update, and force the device to use the widcomm driver. details available on the newest revision of my bluetooth guide - http://www.jonsguides.com/bt/
I'm not so sure if this is necessary anymore, unless I'm missing something here (I'm new here after all, so I apologise in advance if I'm stepping on toes).
I used various WIDCOMM versions with my 6310i, and continued using it with my 6600 for a while. Then as the XP SP2 beta's came out, I tried with each one to use the built-in support, after a few attempts they seem to have got it working to the point now where it actually works better (for my uses) without any WIDCOMM software at all. Latest SP2 build is 2120, although 2139/2140 (RC2) is due out in a few days.
I now have no WIDCOMM software installed at all, and have PC-Suite set up to communicate to the phone via the built-in support, plus the phone can act as a bluetooth modem.
Am I missing something? Why would I want to use the WIDCOMM instead of the built-in support?
Thanks,
P69
P.S. If it's at all relevant, I have an EIO WaveLinker Bluetooth USB Dongle at home, a Belkin F8T003 Bluetooth USB Dongle at work, and a Nokia 6600 (v3.42.1).
Phantasm4489
05-27-2004, 18:18
I got the impression that the only thing they had really added was the serial profile.
Does it do file transfers, PIM syncing, Headset etc etc?
Also some people are not comfortable installing beta versions of software.
file transfers is supported
PIM sync, headset I don't think so
hopefully when RC2 become final microsoft will support it.
Phantasm4489
05-28-2004, 00:39
I heard that SP2 will be released in early to mid june so I doubt there will be many changes from the latest betas.
From where i can download widcomm drivers :) ?? Please help
tomranson
06-06-2004, 19:14
Didn't even notice SP2 had builtin BT support! I've been running SP2 RC1 for a few weeks now... what am I missing??! :eek: