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Bluetooth Odity


Dr. J

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Hi All...

I occasionally use bluetooth to move small files here and there between my phone (Galaxy S5) and laptops, but I've ran into some issues lately in Ubuntu MATE. At first, I wasn't able to pair any device to my Entroware laptop, because the dialog to verify the bluetooth pin and connect wouldn't show up in Ubuntu MATE. After installing the "bluetooth" package, I was able to pair it with my Lenovo (running Debian Stretch with Cinnamon), but trying to pair my phone the same problem still persists. Anyone got any ideas as to what might be the cause?

 

Regards,

Jay

 

Edit: I have my phone paired with the Lenovo just fine, by the way.

Edited by Dr. J
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So your phone BT pairs to the Lenovo, but not the Entroware? And the Lenovo runs Debian, but the Entroware runs Ubuntu Mate?

 

Assuming this is correct, it sounds like the problem is either your phone, or the Entro hardware, or Ubuntu Mate software. However, the only way your phone is the problem is if your phone's bluetooth connection won't allow more than 1 connection at a time AND if you're still connected to Lenovo/Debian when trying to connect to Entro/Mate. Can you turn off the Lenovo/Debian bluetooth and see if your phone and Entro/Mate "see" each other. If they don't "see", you've got a problem with the bluetooth stack/settings. Is there a fn key to toggle bluetooth on/off? Or a dongle to pull/insert, to verify bluetooth is broadcasting? This would likely eliminate Entro hardware. If they "see", but don't pair, it's likely an Ubuntu Mate or software setting, IMO.

 

Personally, I've found bluetooth to be a PITA (and slow) for file management. Are you using bluetooth for a specific reason, or would a wifi connection be acceptable to you? And are you using Android? If both answers are "yes", I'd recommend an Android app called "SSHHelper" and/or "SyncME" that connects to wifi and allows 2-way push/pull. I tend to use SSHHelper for smaller operations, or one-shot data transfers; while I tend to use SyncME for larger and repetitive operations, such as syncing my music directory.

 

From the phone (using SyncME), you can push/pull folders/files/directories either automatically or manually "as desired", depending on how you set it up, using rsync protocols (you can also "sync" data....mirror at both locations).

 

From your PC, you can do the same by starting "SSHHelper" and using your file manager to "go to location" of your phone's LAN address. I use PCManFM, so I go to "192.161.1.x:2222/sdcard" and mount my phone, and copy files back and forth.

 

Much quicker than bluetooth, with a lot less hassle. If you want to explore that, I can help. If you must have bluetooth, I'll be less helpful, but do what I can for ya! B)

Edited by Hedon James
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Hi... Thanks for the reply.

So your phone BT pairs to the Lenovo, but not the Entroware? And the Lenovo runs Debian, but the Entroware runs Ubuntu Mate?

Yup, that's right.

 

It's not really that big of a deal... I'm using bluetooth out of laziness mostly. Instead of digging out a USB lead, I've found it favorable to start the file transfer and go get a cup of tea :rolleyes:! It's usually just photos or podcast episodes anyway, since I don't keep anything really important on the phone anyway.

 

What's actually getting to me here is the fact that there's a glitch in the system. I've jotted it down to the bluetooth stack or configuration on Ubuntu MATE. I booted up a KDE Neon live image (based on Ubuntu, but KDE has it's own bluetooth stack) on the Entroware and it connects to the phone just fine. I'll try pairing KDE Neon to the phone and Lenovo simultaneously... If that causes any issues I'll let you know.

 

As far as Wi-Fi goes, I'm without it here... connecting to the net through a mobile broadband dongle. For large files or adding to my music library I generally take the SD card out of the phone anyway anyway.

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Well... It's been working on and of... I managed to pair the phone to the Entroware, and I have working file transfer to but not from the phone. I've been thinking the outdated bluetooth stack on Android 6 could be part of the issue.

 

I'll look into it now and again anyway, whenever I have time.

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transfer TO, but not FROM the phone sounds like a permissions issue. (or an outdated bluetooth stack on Android 6!) sounds like you're on it, but I'm also curious now. let us know what you learn, whenever that is. Good luck!

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