IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421)

This IOGear Bluetooth Micro adapter is tiny! Size wasn't a factor in my purchase decision, but if you require a very small Bluetooth adapter then look no further!I bought this adapter to use with a bluetooth wireless headset for my gaming computer. I was tired of being tethered to the PC and wanted a wireless headset to use with Ventrilo and/or Teamspeak.The instructions that came with this bluetooth adapter say that if you have Windows XP Service Pack 2, you can just plug it in and Windows will auto-detect it and install the Microsoft drivers. This is true and it did exactly that! This is what you want to do too. DO NOT install the WIDCOMM drivers that come on the installation CD unless you absolutely have to!I was unable to get my Sony PlayStation 3 wireless headset to "pair" with the adapter at first. I ended up calling IO Gear Tech Support and was pleased that it was a toll-free call. The tech support guy had me install the drivers that came on the CD (WIDCOMM), which I really didn't want to do. I read that some people had problems after installing them so I was reluctant.The IOGear/WIDCOMM driver installation is weird right from the start. After inserting the CD clicking the "Windows Installation" button, nothing happens for 3 or 4 minutes. There is ZERO indication that anything is happening and I was tempted to click the "Windows Installation" button several more times, but that wasn't necessary.After installing the WIDCOMM drivers, my PC started acting strange immediately. Several windows popped up saying that programs that I was trying to close were still open and in use by other processes. When I rebooted I received the "Windows has recovered from a serious error." message.Now there is a "Network Status icon with a red X" in my Windows Taskbar that is somehow related to the Bluetooth adapter that I can't get rid of. The Tech Support guy said, "That's normal. Don't worry about it. Just ignore it." Okay sure.The Tech helped me get the headset paired and working, but in hind-sight the problem was probably not related to the driver installation or lack there of. I was unable to get the headset to pair with my PC because I failed to enter the "0000" security code during the discovery and setup process. I didn't read the directions well enough and I rushed through the setup process. I honestly believe that the headset would have paired up properly with the standard Windows drivers that were installed when I first inserted the micro adapter.Again, I do not recommend installing the WIDCOMM drivers unless you can't get your device to work with the Windows drivers. I may attempt to uninstall them and use the Microsoft drivers instead.Overall I'm satisfied with the adapter. It's a simple device that does what it's supposed to do. I would have given it 5 stars, but the WIDCOMM drivers need some work.I hope this review helps you make your purchase decision. Thanks for reading.

The IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter works great on xp. I dont remember installing the software but i see it in add remove programs as Widcomm Bluetooth software. I have used it now for about 3 months with multiple bluetooth devices with great success.Althoe I had two major annoyances.Other than telling you it works flawlessly on windows xp with a few annoyances. I'll cover what is needed should you have any of the same problems as me.1st. If your useing headphones and the line in or mic on your sound card. Then It will not connect through your bluetooth to headphones. I downloaded freeware e2eSoft VSC. Which is try before you buy with a limitation of a noise.. Lucky me, I don't experience any off sounds or noises and it sends the music from my line in to my bluetooth. Configuration that worked for me.... Audio transfer channel "my sound card">e2eSoft Vaudio. Or Audio transfer channel "my sound card">"My bluetooth stereo Audio".. also needed to restart the bluetooth connection to take effect.2nd. The driver I dont remember installing "Widcomm Bluetooth software" puts a very annoying caps lock num lock indacater on the lower screen.. When useing caps lock or num lock in a game it will minimize your screen and mess you up in your game.. Why in the world?? I bought a bluetooth device. Did they think I needed a keyboard configuration indacater? If I did, I would download one.. I didnt need there help Grrr.. lol.. neway the fix..1. Start > Run > regedit2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Widcomm > BTConfig > General3. Change the value of "KeyIndication" from "1" to "0"4. RebootFigured I spent hours searching these fixes I'd share them to maybe save someone the same frustration with an otherwise really nice USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter. For Windows XP.. Have no idea if it works or not on other operating systems.Edit:Found a backup I made of the drivers i'm useing.. Looks like I downloaded them.. driver version file name.... BT_XP_v5.5.0.7900Edit: 2-17-14 Been using it now for almost two years.. Works pretty decent on windows xp 64 bit and windows 7 32 and 64 bit, getting it connected can somtymes be a pain... Also can be used to connect a PS3 controller to the PC.. But that takes a lot of patience and time,... didnt work with generic PS3 controllers, But i believe that was a 3rd party driver limitation.. I got this working with the PS3 wireless controller on xp 64 and 7 64 bit.. I tryed a couple hours once to get it working on my laptop win7 32bit but gave up due to lack of patience. Its probably easier to get going on 32 bit but i haven't done so and probably wont.I wouldn't advise installing motioninjoy.. Had to reinstall my O/S after trying that software..

After reading the Linux Mint forum site I chose one of these as being compatible. Plugged in, fired up the bluetooth manager. Works straight away. More expensive than some, but easily available in the UK, and trouble free.I cannot compare with others as this is the only one I have.I have only tried on Linux.