will microsoft ever support bluetooth besides for WXP SP1?
I just won a BlueTooth mouse and think it's pretty cool
and would love to use it. I have a dual booting system
w/W2k and W2003 Server.

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>will microsoft ever support bluetooth besides for WXP SP1?
>I just won a BlueTooth mouse and think it's pretty cool
>and would love to use it. I have a dual booting system
>w/W2k and W2003 Server.

It's unknown if Microsoft themselves intend to release Bluetooth
drivers for other operating systems and, as many "supported" customers
are complaining Microsoft have been unresponsive regarding problems
with wireless hardware and software, I doubt an answer will be
forthcoming. I would of thought it inevitable that Windows 2003 will
get Bluetooth drivers but doubt we'll see any for Windows 2000.

The devices can be made to worth in both OSes using "hacked"
third-party WIDCOMM drivers. This solution is not supported by
Microsoft and is of questionable legality, especially if you don't own
a Bluetooth dongle provided with WIDCOMM drivers.

That said, the Microsoft Bluetooth set will be of limited use anyway
if you're dual-booting. Their implementation requires a BT stack to
be loaded so the devices only work *within* Windows. Thus you'll be
unable to use the boot menu to select which OS to start unless you
keep a conventional keyboard attached.

You'd probably be better of selling the Bluetooth set, for which you
should get a decent price given they're ludicrously expensive, and
using the proceeds to purchase either a standard (non-Bluetooth)
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop or BT set from a different
manufacturer.

--
>iv< Paul >iv<

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