Bluetooth problem

2 Apr 2016 22:30:35

Eric Jervis

I'm trying to Bluetooth a file from Mini running Mountain Lion to a G5 running Leopard about ten feet away.
The process begins but then the 'time remaining' expands to about 75 hours and the connection is then lost.
This has worked in the past with a .pdf but this is a video file. What things can cause the connection to be lost?

Re: Bluetooth problem

3 Apr 2016 10:30:02

Derek Wright

How big is the video file - how big is the PDF file. I guess that Bluetooth does not like the size of the file. Trying using an ethernet cable to connect the machines to your local network to exchange files.

Re: Bluetooth problem

4 Apr 2016 09:10:40

Eric Jervis

Thanks Derek, 1.09 GB, and the pdf is a lot smaller.

Re: Bluetooth problem

4 Apr 2016 12:12:18

Derek Wright

I just tried a Bluetooth transfer of a 6GB file, the time estimate was 15 or so hours - so use a network solution. Long runs of ethernet cable around the house, if suitable colours are used, can be quite decorative as well a good way of moving data. <g>

Re: Bluetooth problem

4 Apr 2016 12:17:43

Eric Jervis

Ha ha ha ...you are a one, Derek!
I'll give it a try though, and thanks.

Re: Bluetooth problem

4 Apr 2016 20:05:55

Lionel Ogden

Would it not be simpler using a USB stick? Sometimes the old ways do the job.

Re: Bluetooth problem

4 Apr 2016 22:35:11

Tony Still

Bluetooth isn't really designed for this kind of task, it's quite slow (less than 1 Mb/s, I think, and I doubt you get all of it in practice).

Ethernet is a good idea. USB Stick, as suggested by Lionel, is probably easiest. What we used to call "sneaker net" has quite a high bit rate over short distances ;-)

Re: Bluetooth problem

5 Apr 2016 10:04:04

Eric Jervis

Thanks Lionel and Tony, I had to bin my old USB stick weeks ago as it was cr AHEM unreliable. Can you chaps recommend a good make?

Re: Bluetooth problem

6 Apr 2016 20:35:56

Lionel Ogden

Perhaps the clue was in the word "old". I have used Sandisk and verbatim sticks mainly to use as a music source on my car radio and these have worked reliably for several cycles of recording and re recording. However by their nature I would suspect they eventually will become unreliable and then I would replace them. They are quite cheap now for even the higher capacity sticks. Go on treat yourself.

Re: Bluetooth problem

7 Apr 2016 13:37:19

Eric Jervis

Actually Lionel, it was virtually unused, but cheap. I solved the problem by using my USB card reader and a huge memory card.