02-19-2010, 12:09 AM

I'm not sure if this is a hardware or software issue but I have a PowerMac G5 that I recently purchased an apple wireless keyboard and magic mouse for. Since my computer did not have the wireless combo card (its a late 2005 2.5GHz Quad Core) I bought an ioGear Bluetooth Dongle (GBU421). It worked when I initially plugged it in but then I updated the firmware for the keyboard and mouse and I can no longer activate the Bluetooth on my computer. When I open system preferences, I can not click the Bluetooth On or Discoverable boxes and the status bar indicates that Bluetooth is off. However, it does recognize that I have Bluetooth operating in System Profiler which shows no information when the Dongle is not plugged in. I apologize if this is a software question but forgive my ignorance since I heard this could also be caused by a bad USB bus. Is it just a question of compatibility or do I need to get a new dongle or even the wireless/bluetooth combo card? If I need a new dongle can anyone recommend one that works particularly well with the G5?

Thanks for your help

02-19-2010, 04:08 AM

Try unplugging the dongle and plugging it back in again.
I had a problem on my G5 PPC and a G4 eMac.
The computers would not recognise the dongle, or any other USB connected device, unless I unplugged them and plugged them back in. Really annoying at the time as I had BT and wi-fi dongles and they both needed unplugging each time the machines booted.
For reasons unknown to me, this problem went away after a couple of weeks. Now all USB connected devices are recognised on start up.

Darren

02-19-2010, 04:38 PM

Only USB dongle ever got to work with a Mac is the D-Link DBT-120. Think you are better off forking out for the Bluetooth/Airport combo card, runaway mounting card and stand-offs. They are dear, got mine from LA and fitted here in Australia, all up about $350.00.

If you are in the States you may be lucky enough to find a second hand combo, runaway, stand-offs and mounting screws.