bluetooth

If you follow the manual verbatim, you will have no problems setting this up. I didn't follow it at first and tried to do the traditional plug and play technique like all my other hardware. That gave me the INF errors as well.

Use the manual!

To fix INF error, either uninstall and reinstall (using manual), or Add New Harware, find Bluetooth device, tell Windows you want to select drivers from specific location, and choose your cd-rom drive. If you don't, Windows tries to use a comparable driver that is not fully compatible and that's why you get the error.

Pros
- Inexpensive

- Easy to Use after install

- Alot of functionality for the software

Cons
- Range wasn't as far as I expected. I only get 15 feet before I get a weak signal. Optimal range is within 10 feet.

- Manual doesnt use traditional methods for install. This is what people mess up on. Don't plug it in until the other software is installed. Then you have to hit cancel on menus where you would normally hit next.

After talking to tech support for two hours, I got it working. The problem is with Windows XP Service Pack 1a. If you keep Windows updated (and you should), the driver won't install on a system upgraded to 1a. The tech did not have any idea whether they plan to upgrade their driver.

In essence, here is how to get it working:
1. Install the software that comes with the device.
2. Go to C:\Windows\Inf
3. Look for the highest numbered file named oemXX.inf (where XX is the number)
4. Subtract ten from the XX number above.
5. Double click on the oemXX-10.inf file (where "XX-10" is the highest number you see, minus 10)
In other words, if the highest numbered oem file is oem43.inf, you would open up oem33.inf.
6. Make sure the file has the text "WIDCOMM Bluetooth USB Device Installation Script" at the top of it. If it doesn't, find the oemXX.inf file that does.
7. Instead of letting Windows find the driver automatically, you need to go into device manager and find the device yourself. If it is plugged in, it probably appears with an exclamation mark to show that there is something wrong.
8. Select the device, choose "update driver", and point it to the inf file that you found in step 6.

Hopefully it is now installed without the dreaded "Required information from the INF file is missing" message.

I upped my rating to 3 stars, since it does in fact work now... though installation was far too messy. Before calling tech support, I tried using the "updated driver" found on their website, but it has the same problem.

SP1a has been out for a while now. Actiontec should release an updated driver. I will think very hard before buying another one of their products.

Following the instructions, I had this installed in less than ten minutes (Windows XP). It is as easy to use as a hard drive, and I haven't had any problems with it.