"Bluetooth peripheral device" is missing

[jonadelman]

Thanks for your response, although it wasn't really what I wanted to hear. 

I had followed that link before posting here, because you had said the same thing to the OP before figuring out what the Wifi adapter was, and it didn't really help me. I have tried going to directly to Intel too, and downloaded the latest driver for my device and it still didn't do anything.

In looking for answers, I saw someone recommended taking apart the laptop and physically looking at the Wifi adapter to find out what driver is needed, because it wasn't what it said it was. Any point in doing that?

This is pretty much of a drag, as I know I used to be able to connect my PC to bluetooth devices in the past, and I just can't figure out how, now, and I suspect this is part of the problem. When I right-click the Bluetooth icon in the notification tray,  "Allow a Device to Connect" is greyed out. That doesn't seem good either. 

Shoot, there was a 2nd thing I had come across on the internet I wanted to ask about, but can't remember right now. If I do, I might post back. Thanks again.

[jonadelman]

Thanks for your response, although it wasn't really what I wanted to hear.

I had followed that link before posting here, because you had said the same thing to the OP before figuring out what their Wifi adapter was, and didn't really find anything there to help me. I have tried going to directly to Intel too, and downloaded the latest driver for my device and it still didn't do anything (although I didn't really know what I was doing there, and basically just tried the most up-to-date driver for my device.

In looking on the internet for answers, I saw someone recommended taking apart the laptop and physically looking at the Wifi adapter to find out for sure what driver is needed, because it wasn't what it said it was. Any point in doing that?

This is pretty much of a drag, as I used to be able to connect my PC to bluetooth devices in the past, and I just can't figure out how, now, and I suspect this is part of the problem. When I right-click the Bluetooth icon in the notification tray,  "Allow a Device to Connect" is greyed out. That doesn't seem good either. 

Shoot, there was a 2nd thing I had come across on the internet I wanted to ask about, but can't remember right now. If I do, I might post back. Thanks again.

Oh, yeah, I remembered. Someone had mentioned that they felt pretty sure that there was a problem with a driver-install (didn't fully work) because the Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator was still listed (along with the Intel Bluetooth Enumerator) under Bluetooth Radios in Device Manager. Under normal circumstances, apparently, the Microsoft one would no longer show up. I have no idea if that's true or not, but that is definitely the case in my Device Manager. That is, both Intel and Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerators are listed. Also, the "Bluetooth Peripheral Device" that does not have a driver does seem to be located on the Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator. In Devices and Printers, under "Unspecified," there are two Bluetooth Peripheral Devices. If I go to Properties, Hardware tab, they list a few "Device Functions". 

One shows three things that are also located on the Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, though the Manufacturer is shown to be Intel. Also, all three of these (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (Sink), Audio/Video Remote Control, Hands-Free Profile) also show up in the Device Manager, under Bluetooth Auxilary, but only when Showing Hidden Devices. That is, even the category Bluetooth Auxilary only shows up when Showing Hidden Devices. None of the drivers in this category appear to be "ghosts". 

Anyway, in the Properties>Hardware tab of the other Bluetooth Peripheral Device listed in Devices and Printers are two Device Functions. One is Audio/Video Remote Control, Location: Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, Manufacturer: Intel, Type: Bluetooth Auxilary (yes, in Device Manager, under Bluetooth Auxilary, there are two Audio/Video Remote Control drivers shown).

The second Device Function, though, is Bluetooth Peripheral Device, and appears to be the one that has no driver. Instead of having the Bluetooth icon (as the other four do), it has a driver thing with a yellow exclamation point thing. Also, it's type is just: other devices, rather than Bluetooth Auxilary, as the others. Also, it says the location is the Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, but that the Manufacturer is Unknown. 

This thing is a real nuisance. I almost feel like it's just not supposed to be there. Is there any way the wrong thing got installed or anything? 

Anyway, thanks again for your help. Let me know what you think. I am hopeful that something I said will prove useful!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to provide any further assistance with your specific issue.

I can tell you that taking the notebook apart to phyically check the wifi adapter, would be a total waste of time and effort.

You already know what model wifi/bluetooth adapter your notebook has.

The only other thing you might want to try if you have not done so already, would be to install the latest BT driver directly from Intel, and see if that makes a difference.

You should first uninstall the current Intel bluetooth software in the windows control panel>programs>uninstall a program section, before installing the updated software.

The first driver listed at the top left side of the webpage is for W7 x64.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26946/Intel-Wireless-Bluetooth-for-Windows-7-?product=7544...