Help Paring Bluetooth iPazzport Keyboard

[Diesel444]

I'm a new Raspberry Pi user and new to Linux. Today I got my pi running on Raspbian and I managed to get the wifi dongle working. My next goal was to get my bluetooth iPazzport keyboard working.

I followed the steps here: http://www.ctheroux.com/2012/08/a-step- ... pberry-pi/

I got as far as the pairing step and I couldn't get any further. I did a Google search and discovered that there is a Bluetooth Manager application in Preferences so I tried that as well instead of the command line method. I can get the bluetooth dongle to scan and find the keyboard. When I try to set it up and get to the part where I have to enter a PIN on the bluetooth keyboard nothing happens. It is as if the keyboard is not sending characters to the pi for the paring process. I tried rebooting and trying again with no luck.

Any suggestions?

[Diesel444]

Never mind, I figured it out.

[kdawg7695]

If you don't mind, could you tell me what you did to make it work? I have the same keyboard and i'm having the same problems.
Thanks!

[Diesel444]

I don't remember. Let me look into what I did and I'll get back to you.

[kdawg7695]

Thanks!

[kdawg7695]

Did you find anything yet?

[Diesel444]

No, sorry, I haven't. I don't use my Raspberry Pi much right now. I'll have to go back and try to pair it again to see what trick I had to do. What I may have had to do was use a USB keyboard to enter the Bluetooth pairing code but I'm not sure.

[kdawg7695]

well maybe i can figure it out eventually

[Xenomorph]

I'm trying to get my iPazzPort bluetooth keyboard working, as well.

I found this thread when searching Google.

Seeing a post like "Never mind, I figured it out.", and then NO information beyond that is like a punch in the face.

HOW did you figure it out? What did you do? If you know how to make it work, why withhold information from others that might be struggling with the same thing?

[Diesel444]

I don't remember, it was almost a year ago now. Since then, I haven't taken the time to go back and figure it out again. I'm pretty sure that I had to use a USB keyboard to enter the PIN and then it worked. If I get a chance I'll try to reproduce the issue and report back.

[fruitoftheloom]

I'm trying to get my iPazzPort bluetooth keyboard working, as well.

I found this thread when searching Google.

Seeing a post like "Never mind, I figured it out.", and then NO information beyond that is like a punch in the face.

HOW did you figure it out? What did you do? If you know how to make it work, why withhold information from others that might be struggling with the same thing?

""Usually"" when paring a keyboard it should request a pin number is typed on the keyboard (this is done blind as the key presses do not type out anything on screen.

You will need to install bluez and blueman etal

[Douglas6]

Seeing a post like "Never mind, I figured it out.", and then NO information beyond that is like a punch in the face.

I sympathize, those types of posts are annoying. For a few extra seconds the poster could have saved others (and him/herself) the time needed to (re)find the solution. On the other hand, a post like

I'm trying to get my iPazzPort bluetooth keyboard working, as well.

doesn't help us with your problem. What have you tried so far? What is not working and how, including specific error messages or conditions? What hardware, OS and software is involved?

[Xenomorph]

What have you tried so far? What is not working and how, including specific error messages or conditions? What hardware, OS and software is involved?

No errors. It's working now. The issue is the amount of complex guides with old, outdated info or recommendations of unnecessary packages or system changes.

From a new install, install just the Bluetooth stack and Python extension module it uses:

Code: Select all

# apt-get install bluez python-gobject

Press the sync button on the device, then query the device for its MAC:

Code: Select all

# hcitool scan

(assume a MAC of 00:00:00:00:00:00)

Add the device to the system:

Code: Select all

#  bluez-simple-agent hci0 00:00:00:00:00:00

(type a PIN on the Pi and press Enter, then type the same PIN on the Bluetooth Keyboard and press Enter)

Trust the device:

Code: Select all

# bluez-test-device trusted 00:00:00:00:00:00 yes

Connect to the device:

Code: Select all

# bluez-test-input connect 00:00:00:00:00:00 yes

That's it.

I've seen guides recommend installing the "bluetooth" package for just a keyboard (which isn't necessary, plus it tries to install around 20 other packages). I've seen guides suggest changes with the dbus service. I've seen guides recommend changing the file /usr/bin/bluez-simple-agent for some reason.

I'm using the latest Raspbian with multiple Bluetooth adapters.

One is the IOGear GBU521 from Micro Center (http://www.microcenter.com/product/3877 ... ro_Adapter).

One is the Monoprice MPBU4086 (http://www.monoprice.com/Search?keyword=9386).

[Douglas6]

The issue is the amount of complex guides with old, outdated info or recommendations of unnecessary packages or system changes.

I agree, BlueZ tends to change pretty abruptly.

By the way, you might want to double-check your own instructions. Looks like you are trusting twice, without ever having paired.

[Xenomorph]

The issue is the amount of complex guides with old, outdated info or recommendations of unnecessary packages or system changes.

I agree, BlueZ tends to change pretty abruptly.

By the way, you might want to double-check your own instructions. Looks like you are trusting twice, without ever having paired.

Whoops! Corrected, thanks.

When searching Google, I have to remember to go to Tools and specify something usually in the past 6 months. Lots of the information I find is from 2012 or 2013, and is no longer valid (adding various WiFi adapters, for example).

[Douglas6]

And, as regards BlueZ, Debian Jessie is (relatively) imminent, and the game changes again, though (arguably) for the better, with a more 'one stop shopping' approach in bluetoothctl, and BLE support. Thanks for the keyboard guide.

[Diesel444]

well maybe i can figure it out eventually

Here's how I did it, you'll need another keyboard to get it paired.

-Go in to Bluetooth Manager in Preferences in the start menu
-If you've already plugged in the Bluetooth USB dongle you'll see a list of devices but not the iPazzport yet
-Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the iPassport until the third light blinks steadily
-The keyboard should show up in the devices list
-Select it and click the key icon to pair it
- A window will open asking for a code
-Using the main keyboard (not the iPazzport yet) enter a code like 0000 or 1234 and click OK
-Enter the same code on the iPazzport and click enter on the iPazzport
-The keyboard will now be paired but will not work yet
-With the iPazzport still selected in the devices list click Setup in Bluetooth Manager
-Another window will open allowing you to select the iPazzport as an input device, click Forward
-You'll now get a confirmation screen, click Close, and the iPazzport will now work
-You should add it to the trusted devices list by click the orange plus looking symbol

Let me know if you have any questions, I apologize for the long delay.

[Destiny12]

Umm, can somebody help me?
I just got a new raspberry pi 2, and my iPazzPort can't seem to connect.
How long does it need to charge and what colour is the LED when it's fully charged?
Plus I read the way to do it, but since im doing it on a TV screen, there is no other keyboard.

Please help me....
Otherwise, I cant do anything on it.
The first time it worked for like, 5 mins then went off.
How do you do it?
(Or is it possible to boot up the pi 2 on a Windows PC?)