Bluetooth Headphones - A Quick Guide to Setting Up Your Headphones in Windows XP

Setting up your Bluetooth headphones to work with Windows XP is a breeze. But, why do it in the first place? One very good reason is that of wireless control. With Bluetooth headsets, you can discard your wired speakers and wired microphones. This wireless mobility is very handy when you use your headphone for many applications--both online and offline--that make use of audio and video. For example, making VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) calls, audio-video chat sessions, video games that allow you to interact with other players using audio and video, speech recognition, audio recording, listening to music and other audio, and a whole lot more.

If you want to set up your Bluetooth headset to work with Windows XP, just the very easy steps described below.

Open Control Panel. The Control Panel is the place where you can set many options related to your computer and the programs installed. On the Control Panel Window, look for the item named Bluetooth Devices. It is usually represented with an icon that looks like a letter "B" on top of a blue oval. Double-click on Bluetooth Devices.

Next, you are going to make sure that your computer automatically detects Bluetooth devices that come within its range. To be able to do that, you need to turn on the automatic discovery option. Here's how to accomplish that: When you double-click on Bluetooth Devices in Control Panel, a dialog window will open. Open the Options tab on that window, and make sure that the box beside the item "Turn discovery on" is checked. By default and as a security measure, this option is unchecked.

After that, you will give permission to any Bluetooth device within range to connect to your computer. To do that, make sure that there's a check mark on the box beside the label "Allow Bluetooth devices to connect to this computer." If you also want to make sure that your computer notifies you of any attempt from a device to connect via Bluetooth, make sure that the item labeled "Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect" is also checked. Then, save your settings by pressing on the Apply button, then the OK button.

Your computer is now ready to accept Bluetooth connections. Now, it's time to connect your headset to your computer. Turn on your headset. Your computer will automatically detect it, but you will need to add the device. On the lower right corner of your screen, right-click on the Bluetooth icon and select "Add device." An interactive dialog (called the Add Bluetooth Device Wizard) will pop up. Tell the wizard that your device is set up and ready to be found. Follow the onscreen instructions, including the portion where you enter the pass code or pass key. At the end of the wizard, your headset will have been successfully added to the list of Bluetooth devices.

Lastly, connect your device to your computer. This last step is very easy. Go to My Bluetooth Places, right-click on your Bluetooth headset's name, and choose "Connect Headset" from the pop-up menu. That's it. This last step is crucial for Bluetooth headphones to be completely functional with Windows XP. So, make sure you don't skip it.

Jim Michael Cooper is a tech lover who writes about electronic gadgets and devices such as Bluetooth headphones. If you love cool gadgets such as wireless headphones, visit Jim's site to buy one or to read more stories about Bluetooth headphones.

Bluetooth Headphones Review: Sony DRBT101-WQ Stereo Bluetooth Headset

If you are looking for Bluetooth headphones that perfectly fuse wireless mobility and stereo quality for voice calls, the Sony DRBT101/WQ Stereo Bluetooth Headset is worth looking into. That is, if you won't mind wearing an over-the-head set.

There are several headband-type (also known as over-the-head type) of Bluetooth headphones on the market today. You can easily recognize them because their earpieces are joined by a headband, which goes over your head. That's how the headset stays in place. The earpieces cover your ears, thus keeping the sound in. The Sony DRBT101/WQ Stereo Bluetooth Headset is such a headphone, and more.

Wireless mobility and convenience are where the Sony DRBT101/WQ actually stands out from among the other Bluetooth headsets of its kind. Using Bluetooth's multipoint capability, the unit can bond or pair with several Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Thus, you won't need to unpair your movie player when a call comes in through your mobile phone. More than this, the unit has a wide range of support and compatibility for many Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones, iPod Touch, iMac, and MacBook Pro. It even works flawlessly with Skype.

A lot of people actually prefer the techie look of a headband-style Bluetooth headphone, but when they experience the features of the Sony DRBT101/WQ, they often shop no further. Although the stereo sound quality has been often described as lacking for the audiophile's discriminating ear, this device provides adequate quality overall sound with good bass levels. Often, this can be sufficient for everyday use.

This model is designed for use as a headband earphone, so it may not be a great choice for use when you need to make rigorous physical movements. For example, you can try to use it at the gym or while you are jogging around town, but expect it to slip off your head at some point. Headband sets just are not designed for such kinds of usage. And, neither will the Sony DRBT101/WQ even attempt to satisfy you in that area.

Another important feature that makes this model worth its price is the longevity of its battery power. Most Bluetooth headsets will give you only a few hours of talk or play time. Yet, the Sony DRBT101/WQ can provide you with battery power that can last, on the average, up to two days. This simply means less frequent recharge cycles for the battery.

In sum, the Sony DRBT101/WQ Stereo Bluetooth Headset is a great choice if you are looking for Bluetooth headphones that combine convenience, decent sound quality, and reasonable price.

Jim Michael Cooper is a tech lover who writes about electronic gadgets and devices such as Bluetooth headphones. If you love cool gadgets such as wireless headphones, visit Jim's site to buy one or to read more stories about Bluetooth headphones.

Installing Device Drivers For Bluetooth Devices

We have all seen the futuristic and bulky earpieces sported by many cell phone users. Bluetooth is what enables these users to enjoy hands-free functionality, but how does it actually work? Bluetooth is a wirelessly technology that gives mobile devices the ability to interact over short distances via radio signals. The power of Bluetooth isn't limited to cell phone usage. The technology also works with computers and a wide range of peripheral devices. Some of the most common types of Bluetooth-enabled hardware include PDAs, printers and GPS devices.

Integrating Bluetooth with Your Computing

The best thing about Bluetooth is that it allows you to integrate various devices implemented with the technology. However, if want to use a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a PDA on your PC, your computer must be equipped to handle the Bluetooth signal. More of the newer computers offer built-in support for the technology with Bluetooth adapters. If the network adapter isn't installed on your computer, you could integrate the Bluetooth devices with a dongle. A dongle is a small device that connects to the USB port and delivers the Bluetooth signal to your computer.

Installing the Appropriate Drivers

A special network adapter allows your computer to accept the Bluetooth reception. In order for your computer to recognize the hardware, you will need to install the appropriate device drivers. Whether you are using a network card or dongle, both devices should come included with an installation CD that contains the device drivers you need. Keep in mind that you will have to install the device drivers for each piece of Bluetooth hardware you want to use on your computer. Thus aside from the PDA, for example, you would also need the installation disc for your Bluetooth-enabled printer.

Troubleshooting Problematic Bluetooth Drivers

Just like all computer hardware, there may come a time when your Bluetooth devices endure problems or stop working entirely. This could happen for a number of reasons. Perhaps after installing a new Bluetooth device, the installation overwrites the drivers for an existing device.

Perhaps you uninstalled an application that removed critical files one of your other devices need. Other instances that could ruin your device drivers would be a system crash, an unexpected shutdown or failed hard drive. If you find that your Bluetooth devices are not working properly, the device drivers probably need to be updated.

While you can attempt to reinstall the device drivers from the installation CD, you may want to get the files directly from the manufacturer. This is especially true if the manufacturer has made improvements to enhance functionality.

There are two ways you can check for updates: visit the manufacturer's website online or perform an automatic search through Windows. To search from the operating system, open the "Control Panel" and select "Device Manager." Navigate the page, find your Bluetooth device, double-click it, and then lick the "Driver" tab. Next, click "Update Driver" and choose the option that performs an automatic search. If updates are found, simply follow the instructions and install the device drivers.

Tip: If you are using a Bluetooth printer, you must open the Control Panel and select "Printers." From this window, right-click on your printer, select "Properties," click the "Advanced" tab, select "New Driver" and follow the prompts for installing the appropriate driver.

Adam K Smith is an eminent author on Device Drivers for all types of Computers. Safely Update All Your Drivers and Fix Your Drivers Problem Instantly.