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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
DIY: Fix Mac Pro Bluetooth Range Issues
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<blockquote data-quote="iggibar" data-source="post: 1532354" data-attributes="member: 97843"><p><strong>What does this tutorial fix?</strong></p><p>The notorious bluetooth range issues on Mac Pros caused by bluetooth to aluminum grounding issues never fixed by Apple. </p><p> </p><p><strong>What models can be fixed with this tutorial?</strong></p><p><strong></strong>All Mac Pro models can use this method. However, Mac Pro 1.1 -3.1 have an easier fix that involves the swapping of wifi and bluetooth cables to fix the issue. That method isn't as easy on the 4.1+ models since they have revised logic boards with different Airport and bluetooth locations</p><p></p><p><strong>What do you need for this DIY method?</strong></p><p>The minimum required for this fix to work minimum:</p><p>- ~20" U.fl IPX to RP-SMA Male cable</p><p>-RP-SMA antenna. 2dBi depending on range needed. A good 2dBI antenna will work better than a cheap antenna that is rated at 10 or more dBi! Don't buy junk! Range distribution also is an issue when going above 2dBi. Most home routers use 2dBi, so it should be more than enough for a Mac Pro to work if it is located with the same room as the bluetooth device. </p><p></p><p>My Mac Pro 4.1 was only 4 feet 5 inches from the trackpad, but the bluetooth signal was too weak to pass through the aluminum. I wanted to test something, so I went the dual antenna route, but the 2dBi antenna worked perfect. What you see in the pic below is a 20" U.fl IPX cable, spare PCI card slot cover, 2dBi D-link antenna, 9dBi antenna with base, and RP-SMA male to two RP-SMA female adapter. </p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17115718_zps99d79af3.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>All but the PCI cover and small antenna can be purchased on eBay for ~$20 shipped. </p><p></p><p><strong>Here we go!</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Make sure you are wearing a grounding harness, especially when working around carpet or around other fabrics.</strong></p><p></p><p>Step 1.</p><p>Get your Mac Pro. Unplug all wires from the back. With the Mac Pro now off, hold the power button for 15 seconds. Start removing the processor tray, graphics card, and any other PCI cards for convenience. </p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17115416_zps3eec9435.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Step 2. </p><p>Drill a whole in the PCI cover to accommodate the female end of the antenna.</p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17115734_zps7f2a386b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Step 3.</p><p>Secure the antenna onto the PCI cover, and route the antenna as neatly as possible inside. Make sure it has enough room to easily be connected to the bluetooth board. At the same time, don't let it come close to the rear fan. Place the PCI cover into the PCI slot.</p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120252_zps7ea4cb20.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Step 4.</p><p>The bluetooth cable we are putting out of commission is labeled "BT." Disconnect it from the board by pulling the head straight up. </p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120016_zps50773348.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Step 5. With tape or a rubber tube, cover the old bluetooth cables end to prevent any possible shortages. Connect the new antenna head by pushing it straight down. I used the wire clip to secure the taped end. </p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120230_zpsd005536e.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17121824_zpsabf278db.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Step 6. </p><p>Put your Mac Pro back together.</p><p></p><p>That's all the work required inside. </p><p></p><p>With the antenna connection at the back, you can decide if you want to connect straight to an antenna, or use an extension to place the antenna elsewhere. I tried both routes by using a splitter. The connection only got better at distances that were completely useless to me, so I returned to the single 2dBi antenna.</p><p></p><p>You can go with a small antenna:</p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120958_zps42f9890a.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Big antenna:</p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17121058_zps134cccd4.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Or both with a splitter: </p><p><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17121420_zps2c1bc920.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p>As I mentioned earlier, the quality of antenna will give you different results. A good 2dBi antenna will work more than enough for a room, while a cheap one might not show any improvements. The 9dBi antenna works just as well in the same room, but has noticeable strength when operating the magic trackpad outside the house(!).</p><p></p><p>This problem is so easy to fix, yet there are people replacing their Mac Pro because of this issue.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="iggibar, post: 1532354, member: 97843"] [B]What does this tutorial fix?[/B] The notorious bluetooth range issues on Mac Pros caused by bluetooth to aluminum grounding issues never fixed by Apple. [B]What models can be fixed with this tutorial? [/B]All Mac Pro models can use this method. However, Mac Pro 1.1 -3.1 have an easier fix that involves the swapping of wifi and bluetooth cables to fix the issue. That method isn't as easy on the 4.1+ models since they have revised logic boards with different Airport and bluetooth locations [B]What do you need for this DIY method?[/B] The minimum required for this fix to work minimum: - ~20" U.fl IPX to RP-SMA Male cable -RP-SMA antenna. 2dBi depending on range needed. A good 2dBI antenna will work better than a cheap antenna that is rated at 10 or more dBi! Don't buy junk! Range distribution also is an issue when going above 2dBi. Most home routers use 2dBi, so it should be more than enough for a Mac Pro to work if it is located with the same room as the bluetooth device. My Mac Pro 4.1 was only 4 feet 5 inches from the trackpad, but the bluetooth signal was too weak to pass through the aluminum. I wanted to test something, so I went the dual antenna route, but the 2dBi antenna worked perfect. What you see in the pic below is a 20" U.fl IPX cable, spare PCI card slot cover, 2dBi D-link antenna, 9dBi antenna with base, and RP-SMA male to two RP-SMA female adapter. [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17115718_zps99d79af3.jpg[/IMG] All but the PCI cover and small antenna can be purchased on eBay for ~$20 shipped. [B]Here we go! [/B] [B]Make sure you are wearing a grounding harness, especially when working around carpet or around other fabrics.[/B] Step 1. Get your Mac Pro. Unplug all wires from the back. With the Mac Pro now off, hold the power button for 15 seconds. Start removing the processor tray, graphics card, and any other PCI cards for convenience. [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17115416_zps3eec9435.jpg[/IMG] Step 2. Drill a whole in the PCI cover to accommodate the female end of the antenna. [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17115734_zps7f2a386b.jpg[/IMG] Step 3. Secure the antenna onto the PCI cover, and route the antenna as neatly as possible inside. Make sure it has enough room to easily be connected to the bluetooth board. At the same time, don't let it come close to the rear fan. Place the PCI cover into the PCI slot. [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120252_zps7ea4cb20.jpg[/IMG] Step 4. The bluetooth cable we are putting out of commission is labeled "BT." Disconnect it from the board by pulling the head straight up. [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120016_zps50773348.jpg[/IMG] Step 5. With tape or a rubber tube, cover the old bluetooth cables end to prevent any possible shortages. Connect the new antenna head by pushing it straight down. I used the wire clip to secure the taped end. [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120230_zpsd005536e.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17121824_zpsabf278db.jpg[/IMG] Step 6. Put your Mac Pro back together. That's all the work required inside. With the antenna connection at the back, you can decide if you want to connect straight to an antenna, or use an extension to place the antenna elsewhere. I tried both routes by using a splitter. The connection only got better at distances that were completely useless to me, so I returned to the single 2dBi antenna. You can go with a small antenna: [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17120958_zps42f9890a.jpg[/IMG] Big antenna: [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17121058_zps134cccd4.jpg[/IMG] Or both with a splitter: [IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/idrinorbarsaku/2013-08-17121420_zps2c1bc920.jpg[/IMG] As I mentioned earlier, the quality of antenna will give you different results. A good 2dBi antenna will work more than enough for a room, while a cheap one might not show any improvements. The 9dBi antenna works just as well in the same room, but has noticeable strength when operating the magic trackpad outside the house(!). This problem is so easy to fix, yet there are people replacing their Mac Pro because of this issue. [/QUOTE]
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Apple Computing Products:
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DIY: Fix Mac Pro Bluetooth Range Issues
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