Here’s how I installed an external USB Bluetooth adapter INSIDE my laptop and made it internal. My laptop wasn’t Bluetooth ready, it didn’t have internal Bluetooth connector and antenna but I needed it in order to access the cell phone without running a cable.
My first option was using the external USB Bluetooth adapter as is but it wasn’t very convenient. I decided to find a way to install this adapter inside the laptop.
Before I started hacking my laptop, I installed Bluetooth software and tested if the new adapter works fine. As you see on the picture below, the Bluetooth icon in the SysTray is active and the cell phone is detected.
For this modification you’ll need:
1. Laptop disassembly experience. Here are service manuals for some laptops.
2. Soldering skills and tools as I mentioned in the power jack repair post.
3. Inexpensive USB Bluetooth 2.0 adapter. I spent less than $8 for that thing and you can find it even cheaper.
This is only for experienced technicians. If you have no experience you can (and most likely will) damage your laptop. Proceed on your own risk!
This guide should works for all laptop brands: Toshiba, Dell, HP/Compaq, IBM, Lenovo, Gateway, etc… as long as you have enough space to mount the Bluetooth module inside the laptop.
OK, here’s how I did it.
First of all, I disassembled my laptop and found a place where I can install the Bluetooth adapter. In my guide I’m using a Toshiba Satellite A105 laptop. I found enough empty space in the top right corner of the laptop.
My idea was simple. Disassemble the Bluetooth adapter, remove the Bluetooth module and solder it to one of the USB ports. I decided to use one of the USB ports located in the lower right corner.
NOTE: After this modification is done, you will not be able to use that particular USB port with any other USB device, it will not work because it’s dedicated to the Bluetooth module. But I think it’s not a big deal because most laptops have 3-4 USB ports.
I found some thin wires laying around.
Make sure that wires are long enough for your project.
Now you’ll have to disassemble the adapter. I easily split the adapter case with a sharp knife and removed the Bluetooth module.
Unsolder the USB connector.
As you see on the picture below, the Bluetooth module easily fits into the empty place inside the laptop.
I soldered four wires to the Bluetooth module. I used terminals for the USB connector.
After that I soldered four wires to four contacts on the back of the USB connector. Be careful. Make sure all wires are connected correctly.
At the last step I installed the Bluetooth module into the place and routed wires from the module to the USB port. I had to reroute the wires a few times to make sure that I can install the top cover and it seats properly. I secured wires to the motherboard with electrical tape.
Finally, assembled the laptop and tested it. There is no on/off hardware switch for the Bluetooth module but I can turn it on and off through software.
The Bluetooth adapter has been installed INSIDE the laptop and works flawlessly!
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
November 5th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
WoW.. I realy like every single idea that you have..
now im your long life student…
your a great teacher!!!
I personaly thank you for this things…
I hope to see more post from you my great teacher!!!
thanks…
November 6th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Great idea….. But you can buy something like this for $19 bucks or less.
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=2395
November 15th, 2008 at 8:56 am
wow….where can i get those wires ?
November 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
nice, just be careful not to ever run into a problem with universal plug and play
November 30th, 2008 at 3:01 am
some blue tooth adapters can’t switch off through its driver software. so men should beware from this.because blue tooth signal are not good for their system little under to stomach
November 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
can you use the blue tooth and also plug a next usb in the same usb port that is connected to the blue tooth?
December 13th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Wow, you are the greatest teacher ever!!!! Thanks a lot..
December 14th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Hi,
can you use the blue tooth and also plug a next usb in the same usb port that is connected to the blue tooth?
thanks
December 14th, 2008 at 11:21 am
rid,
No, the same USB port will not work with another USB device. Basically, my laptop had 4 USB ports. One of them is taken by the “internal” Bluetooth module and now I have only 3 working USB ports.
January 14th, 2009 at 9:57 am
woah ! dude u r my guru ….. man i like the way u think … alternative style … got any more crazy ideas next ….
January 18th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
LOL WTF, u bunch of noobs asking
wow….where can i get those wires ? and
can you use the blue tooth and also plug a next usb in the same usb port that is connected to the blue tooth?
What the helll, this mod could not be easier to understand, and you still ask stupid questions
A wires ANY DAMN ELECTRICAL SHOP, crap get an old appliance or somthing and loot them from there.
and how many times did he say that you CANT use the use port after connecting the bluetooth, i would have thought it was a nobrainer that if the USB port is missing from the outside of the case then u CANT use it, u cant use somthing that isnt there, dumbass
Also
Great idea….. But you can buy something like this for $19 bucks or less.
The point of this mod is to have an internal one, yes that one is small but this is internal, and fun to try.
omg people human brains are one of the most intelligent on the planet, why dont some of you use this feature, unless ur an ant or somthing then wtf u doing on this website
January 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Great mod BTW
, ive done this to a 16gb USB cause needed a hidden drive for personal stuff, no not pron ;P
February 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Hello..
Great mod’..keep them coming! I just wanted to add that on the Uniwill-chassis’d Systemax laptop I own there’s a small service
cover next to the hard disk access cover that holds..a full-size
USB port! The depth is not great and the opening is only about
2 1/2″ inches long, but is perfect for stealthing a miniature Blue
-tooth adapter. The one I use is the newest style that’s barely
an inch long-it’s a rectangular profile, not the quarter-moon type. The slimmer dongle types tend to be longer and aren’t
an easy fit into the USB port-they go in at an angle and I wasn’t
comfortable with the idea of applying force..since it’s the bad DC jack on this laptop that brought me to this site in the first place . When I’m not using the BT I just disable it in the Device Manager.
Great, informative site…thanks again!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
hi steve,
it’s not about BT question. but i don’t know hoe to email you, that why i use this mail form. i found an interesting peripheral that has a function as WWAN card and GPS receiver. any idea if it is possible to be attached on other laptop ? mine is vgn s480. an old machine.
Dell Wireless 5530 HSDPA Mini Card
the 3G chipset used in this laptop also supports GPS. But it doesn’t work out of the box – you have to send a few AT commands to the modem first. If you follow the guide at the following forum, you get an NMEA compliant GPS as a serial device.
let me know for any possibilities or work around.
thanx,
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:53 am
My laptop screen display HP and remain parmanently dark when booting.
March 29th, 2009 at 1:15 am
bro,
u`re da bomb am a nigerian, a sophomore as well and very interesting in laptop repairs…not because i can make a living with it here in africa, but just cos i`ve got love for it…i love the stunt u pulled on the bluetooth stuff…thank a great deal…wish u could provide me wiv other useful tips for a starter like me
April 28th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Amazing!
I dont have the same laptop.. but is just about fining the perfect spot for it.
thanks!
May 4th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hey, it´s great!!! Only one question, the usb port still works with other devices? Thanks!!!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
ariclon,
The USB port I used for the Bluethooth module doesn’t work with other devices, it’s dedicated to the Bluethooth module. But I have three more.
May 5th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
OK I have to ask. You claim that the original USB port that has been modded cannot be used anymore because it is dedicated to the bluetooth device. Others have also claimed that after the mod the original USB port is no longer there but it appears to be there in the photos (it is unclear just how exactly it is supposed to be connected).
So, if you disable the bluetooth device, then could the original USB port possibly work? What if you install a hardware on/off switch such that the modification is no longer electrically connected to the original assembly? I don’t see why in theory this sort of thing could actually make all your USB ports work, but perhaps not while SIMULTANEOUSLY using bluetooth.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:30 am
sir,I read this whole article is good to experiment it in in our homes but fortunately my laptop already have bluetooth, so i want to ask u that is that possible for me to try it on my desktop computer. reply plese
May 12th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Steven B,
If you disable the bluetooth device in the device manager, the USB port still will not work.
That’s a good idean. I havent tried it myself but it might work.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:06 am
obaid,
Why not? A desktop computer has same USB ports and this modification should work too.
May 17th, 2009 at 6:24 am
You can also buy really tiny BlueTooth adapters that only protrude about 1/4″ from the USB jack. I have one of these for my HP laptop that didn’t have BT internally, much easier to live with and a LOT easier to install. I got three of them for $24, so they fit the $8/ea criteria.
May 17th, 2009 at 8:23 am
John,
You are correct. Using an external Bluetooth adapter is way easier. I installed mine inside the laptop just for fun.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Bonus points if you install the board of a tiny USB hub so you can still have the port working.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Why not install a usb hub instead, and then from it the Bluetooth adapter? Then it should give you more ports to plug more crap on it (not power hungry ones).
I’m not sure if enough but I think twisted pair cable should be enough to handle 5 volts
You could even try enhancing the antenna for maximum range, then use the bluetooth headset for skype calls.
a bluetooth mouse and/or a camera
dam,
good to know there is comming soon v 3.0, there is so much flexibility in the Bluetooth protocols.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I agree with below, if you were to instead install a small usb hub, or some kind of splitter, then you could still be able to use the usb port.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Most laptops with 3 external USB ports have a 4th hidden somewhere. On most fujitsu laptops this is in a small recess next to the hard disk – just big enough to fit in a bluetooth USB adapter once you take off the plastic casing. No need for any soldering, just plug it in.
August 8th, 2009 at 5:41 am
that’s was a very simple way…., i challange anyone to make it perfect like using keybord shorcut combination to activate and deactivate it, so really like internal bluetooth
August 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
HP laptops have an internal USB header for a secret “fourth port”. It is usually used for custom orders from corporate customers for pre-installed hardware.
You do need soldering skills to access it aftermarket, though.
August 26th, 2009 at 4:50 am
men, I really appreciate that and ur effort/lecture. it’s interesting keep the flag flying. i am still undergoing some training on laptop repair. i need ur advice, thanks
August 31st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I have Toshiba Laptop Satellite Laptop. The laptop turnoff itself. Because the machine is very hot. Is it time to replace the fan? Infact, I bought fan and put that underneath the laptop and still the machine shuts off automatically. I had to use the ice pad once in a while.
How can I replace the fan and where can I buy the fan for toshiba laptop Satellite?
September 1st, 2009 at 7:41 am
Gold,
Is your fan making noise when it spins? If not, most likely all you need is a good cleaning. Your laptop shuts down because the heat sink is clogged with dust, take a look at this post for more information about overheating.
You can try cleaning the heat sink without disassembling the laptop. You’ll have to use compressed air to blow off dust inside the heat sink.
Buy a can of compressed air and spray it inside the air intake on the bottom of the laptop until all dust is gone. Test the laptop again. Does it help?
September 4th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
i have a wipro little genius 4000 laptop i;ve tried your trick for breaking bios password but none of that password works for me . i have award bios and 845 board..
help me !
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Excellent article.
What bluetooth software did you use?
I have the same bluetooth USB adapter but I cannot make it work with any software.
do you know where I can download it?