Windows Vista can sometimes be the prettier but dumber brother to Windows XP.  Getting standard bluetooth devices working on Vista such as keyboards, mice and headphones/headsets should be as simple as scanning for the device, right?  Wrong.  Someone at Microsoft needs to should jump on this.

My recent Bluetooth purchase included a Sony DBR-K22IT headphone set which also includes a Bluetooth transmitter for all recent iPods.  It worked with my iPod flawlessly.

Since my Sony Vaio laptop (with Windows Vista) has built in Bluetooth, I figured it would be a good idea to pair them to the laptop as well.  The instructions go something like “enter pairing mode” and follow the prompts in the operating system.  That should have worked, only it didn’t.

Vista did show the device but did not have “Bluetooth Stereo Audio” enabled for them.  “Handsfree Bluetooth device” is distinctly different from either the “headset” or “Stereo Audio” profiles both of which produce markedly better sound.

Uninstalling the device did fix the problem.  Eventually a full uninstall of the Bluetooth drivers, audio devices and reinstallation of such fixed the problem for a short while.  That is, until Vista decided the connection didn’t exist anymore.

Upon reboot, I found all but the lowest quality profile available.  Once again, I had to uninstall the headphones and “rescan” for it to enable all profiles.  Vista is dumb as dirt when it comes to Bluetooth audio.

It won’t set the output device automatically (like XP would have) and it’s hit or miss as to whether it even sets the right profile in the first place.

Vista has finally decided to save the “Bluetooth Stereo Audio” profile but will not enable it by default.  Settings to get that must still be changed manually.  Yes, I like ALL my devices to use the lowest quality profile by default.  Who at Microsoft decided that was a good idea should be canned reprimanded.

If you’re looking for something a little more robust then check out the BlueSoliel Bluetooth drivers which is compatible with a broad range of chips.  Note that the free version is limited to 2MB data limitation.  It’s also not a 100 percent guarantee that it will work with your particular Bluetooth chip (either integrated or USB).

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Related:

How to get old(er) Bluetooth devices working in Vista

How to get Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard and mouse working with your PC

Certified for Windows Vista Software Demo Video

Fix broken program installs on Vista with Windows Installer Cleanup

Sharp tablet features Vista and Intel Atom processor

Entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 7:48 am under Microsoft, Opinion, Tips, Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.