Older Dell Bluetooth mouse (model m-rbb-del4) has documented connectivity issues on systems running Microsoft Windows 7 x64

While it is a generally given fact that most Bluetooth devices interact with most all other Bluetooth devices, there are times when alternatives should be considered. My case in point, the Dell Bluetooth mouse (model m-rbb-del4) originally started shipping in 2006 (I don’t know when it stopped shipping) and was supported in Windows XP and Windows Vista without issue.  Most systems at that time were running XP or Vista 32 bit and Bluetooth 350/355/360 adapters. The mouse worked great and we had few issues.

Last night I encountered a case where a Precision Mobile Workstation M4600 w/BT375 absolutely and completely refused to work with Windows 7 x64.  Client has 2 of these mice and neither would sync and detect in this system but worked fine on several older systems.  Dell agents replace the BT 375 card 3 times, a motherboard and an Imaged HDD, then sent the system to depot for repair (No fault found, big surprise).  All of this done in the 1^st 60 days of ownership.

When I was approached for this issue, a quick trip to Google displayed page after page of similar issues with all different models/brands of systems/Bluetooth, with a common theme, all were running Windows 7 x64. At this point I made a command decision that if the latest round of driver updates/installations did not resolve the issue (it didn’t BTW) we would take a different route, and send the client a RF Wireless mouse instead of these outdated and problematic Bluetooth mice.  Client agreed to the replacement an to my knowledge the issue is resolved.

My point in this tip is simple, just because an item doesn’t work with the system, this doesn’t mean the system is flawed. A little research is recommended.