Apple iBook Bluetooth Installation

(Not for the faint of heart)

Apple is kind enough to supply Bluetooth as an option when you purchase an iBook, but if you want it later you are SOL. They won’t well you all the parts to put in there. If you have two iBooks, you could swap the parts, but still...

So with a USB BT adapter sticking out of my iBook, I had enough. Looks stupid and if you are going to plug something in, that is as bad as a wire. I wonder if I can fit it inside somewhere.

If you haven’t taken an iBook apart before, visit Powerbook Tech. They have detailed instruction (that I will skip) on ripping Apple ‘Books apart. I will skip that as it would just be more typing for me.

***If you are going to try this, do so at your own risk! You could SERIOUSLY damage your lovely Apple product.***

The iBook I am working on is a 14” 1Ghz. It is just out of Applecare, so I am not voiding my warranty. I bought a few Orange Micro Blue2 USB units from eBay to use with my new phone. They were cheap enough to buy a few (some for me, some for gifts...)

After the novelty wore off, I really wanted internal BT. I took apart the iBook to see what, if any space was there. The thought was I could crack open the BT unit and just install the tiny chip inside of it

But a look inside showed enough space for the entire unit

Close Up:

Perfect spot. I haven’t opened one up with BT built in, I wonder if that is where it goes?

The next step was taking the top of the iBook off to see the USB connection/remove the port cover. The Powerbook Tech page has older units, and I found that you no longer have to remove the magnet that holds the keyboard down.

On this model, it is under the ID sticker and should just stay there. It’s ok, the sticker went right back down and stayed stuck.

Also note, there are a few ‘new’ screws on these models. Keep track, I always end up with one left over. Especially note the 3 beside the slot load drive:

Turned out that you can ‘get to’ the usb solder points without all of this, but I wanted to get a meter in there and be sure of the connections.

Knowing where the points were I took my handy Dremel to the plug on the BT unit to expose the connections.

I didn’t have to go too far and didn’t want to risk cutting them. To connect, I went to an electronics supply store ( Main Electronics here in Vancouver) and asked for the thinnest wire they had. This Wire Wrapping Wire is what they said “The kids use for mods to PS2’s and things”. Good enough for me.

Small enough to run over the Logic board and not take up any space. The lids go on just fine.

Sorry, the next two photos (that aren’t here) were corrupt. They would show the connections to the Logic board and a close up on the connections to the BT unit. So I will just type in detail:

If you are looking at the Logic board bottom and the USB ports are on your left you will see that each USB port has 6 solder points. The two outside points are ground and used to secure the port. The four tiny inside points are the actual connections. You only need to connect the four inside points:

This is how they line up. The ground isn’t necessary. Remember this is the bottom of the Logic board with the USB ports on your left (just as shown).

I soldered four wires to the BT unit, them connected them to the indicated four point on the Logic board. No extra solder was needed as they are very fine wires.

I wrapped the connector end of the BT unit in electrical tape for insulation and set it in the centre opening.

I then taped it in place, just like Apple does with it’s cables and things. A quick boot showed I had Bluetooth, so I put it all back together.

The only thing ‘bad’ about this is the USB port can’t be used once you do this mod. I was hoping things would be daisy-chained, but no luck. That is fine with me, there is an available USB port and the whole idea is to have things wireless.

Questions? email me

UPDATE: A few of helpful folks have written and let me know there is a small connector on the Logicboard that is for the internal BT. I am trying to find the right size connector for the socket and will then install the dongle via that connection. If anyone has a source (or one to send me), please let me know. When I can make this mod work, I will post the results.

UPDATE 2 (Feb 2005): I still haven't taken the time to change to the internal connector. It works and I am busy. But I did just add a 3rd Hard Drive to my G5. Read about it here.

Holy Cow! This page has gotten a lot of hits. As well as being translated, linked on lots of great sites and gotten me tons of mail. This internet thing really works. Thanks for all the kind words and making me feel like a cool-geek (if those two words go together). I had a server error and had to reset my counters, the number is probably higher.

Here is how to add a 3rd (ata) hard drive to a G5.

Here is how to modify an Avalon Vt 737sp pre-amp with the fast attack / Babyface mod / modification.

Here is a link to my Father in Law's page: He makes knives in Alaska!

Here's a link to my pal Joe's band: Dr. No

Gary runs a 'Rock School'.

What's a Turducken?