Bluetooth USB Adapter with HID proxy mode

[JimmyS]

I have a valid Link Key for my wireless keyboard AND HID Proxy Mode
So, that seems to go in the same direction as what I mentioned earlier, meaning Key is not relevant for HID Proxy Mode (indeed, security key cannot be used before any driver has been loaded...)
What apparently is, is the state of the BT receiver, meaning that OS has to release HCI Mode at shutdown, which seems not being the case when I pair the keyboard under Windows without any driver (generic keyboard HID Driver)
And also the fact you must at least pair the keyboard with the receiver once, in OS X, to get HID Proxy Mode working at the next reboot.
I think it's the address of the keyboard which is stored by BT receiver, as when you unplug the receiver, or power down PC entirely, you lose HID Proxy Mode

Edit: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that there isn't any code change during pairing under OS X, but only mode change from HID to HCI.
If your link key is zero once your keyboard is paired within OS X, then it means that your link key IS zero

Ok, thanks for explaining this to me.

I'm just confused about how the link key can be zero, because the pairing for sure wasn't done with an all zero PIN key, and as far as I understand the pairing process there is supposed to be a random number generator involved in the shared secret creation.

I guess I should just stop worrying about it and be happy that it just works - ignorance is bliss

 

[sebkulu]

Ok, thanks for explaining this to me.

I'm just confused about how the link key can be zero, because the pairing for sure wasn't done with an all zero PIN key, and as far as I understand the pairing process there is supposed to be a random number generator involved in the shared secret creation.

I guess I should just stop worrying about it and be happy that it just works - ignorance is bliss

Zero key has been used when pairing in Windows in HID mode
So, that change is reflected into your OS X installation 'cause now the keyboard uses a zero link key (insecure) and works in HID Mode (which doesn't make any difference at all for such a peripheral as a simple keyboard )

Now, the great thing on your configuration is that Windows is releasing the BT receiver mode when exiting.
That should explain why you keep having HID Proxy Mode enabled even after having gone out from Windows and rebooted from there. (you can right? )

 

[Nivsty]

Is there any way to test whether your bluetooth supports HID proxy?
And I'm not sure on how to set it up, or does that show that mine indeed does not support HID proxy?

Okay I found some instructions I have written to myself if I ever need to install the Windows drivers again.
You'll only need:
AppleKeyboardInstaller64.exe
AppleWirelessTrackpad64.exe
BootCamp.msi

First right-click (run as administrator) install the first two, then run the last one in command prompt (run cmd as admin).

I'm not sure if it makes sense to you, heck I don't know if it even makes sense to me anymore but this is all I have written

How did I not think of that..
Thank you very much!

 

[sebkulu]

Ok, thanks for explaining this to me.

I'm just confused about how the link key can be zero, because the pairing for sure wasn't done with an all zero PIN key, and as far as I understand the pairing process there is supposed to be a random number generator involved in the shared secret creation.

I guess I should just stop worrying about it and be happy that it just works - ignorance is bliss

It seems you're right after all!!!
Indeed, my keyboard link key IS 0! (I didn't double-check it, that's done now)
And I did NOT reboot into Windows since I have paired my keyboard in OS X, thus having generated a valid link key...

Is there any way to test whether your bluetooth supports HID proxy?
And I'm not sure on how to set it up, or does that show that mine indeed does not support HID proxy?

How did I not think of that..
Thank you very much!

What is your BT receiver?

To "check" if it does support HID Proxy Mode, just unplug it, replug it while in OS X, and pair your keyboard again (this is to ensure HCI Mode can be released).
Then reboot, and strike a key during boot time (when BIOS screen appear would be a good time), if the keyboard green light turns on and stay for 2 seconds, it means that the keyboard is trying to establish connection with a known receiver.
Then just after keyboard green light turns out, the CapsLock key light should turn on and STAY.
If so, then you have the ability to choose OS on the OS selection screen, and also enter BIOS right before that.

 

[planejanez]

In my search to find a bluetooth dongle that supports HID proxy mode I found the following post on the rocketfish forums:

Hello PHubb,

I wanted to let you know that I reached out to our engineers for clarification and the RF-MRBTAD does not support HID Proxy.

Regards,
Zac

Rocketfish™ Support

http://community.rocketfishproducts...h-keyboard-and-rocketfish-RF-MRBTAD/td-p/3285

The reason I posted this is just to completely eliminate the Rocketfish RF-MRBTAD as one that could possibly work.

I ordered a Laird bt820 today from http://www.mouser.com for about $15.00 and will report back to see if it works. This one actually advertises HID proxy mode as a capability.

Larid BT820 Product
http://www.lairdtech.com/Products/E...s/Bluetooth-Radio-Modules/BT800-Series/BT820/

 

[sebkulu]

In my search to find a bluetooth dongle that supports HID proxy mode I found the following post on the rocketfish forums:



http://community.rocketfishproducts...h-keyboard-and-rocketfish-RF-MRBTAD/td-p/3285

The reason I posted this is just to completely eliminate the Rocketfish RF-MRBTAD as one that could possibly work.

I ordered a Laird bt820 today from http://www.mouser.com for about $15.00 and will report back to see if it works. This one actually advertises HID proxy mode as a capability.

Larid BT820 Product
http://www.lairdtech.com/Products/E...s/Bluetooth-Radio-Modules/BT800-Series/BT820/

Thanks for your having reported what you found
So, I can leave the Rocketfish RF-MRBTAD on the "non-working" list.

Waiting for another report from you so

Edit: It seems you made the right choice for several reasons:
1. CSR 8510 Chipset seems to be recognized OOtB by OS X, just by editing plist File as described here -> http://www.tonymacx86.com/mountain-...-x-mountain-lion-10-8-2-wake-magic-mouse.html
2. CSR 8510 Chipset indeed HAVE HID Proxy Mode capability
3. If used on a laptop, Bluetooth 4.0 IS the right choice
4. I saw several posts on forums, and articles speaking of a little piece of software allowing to switch mode for the CSR Chipset, so, definitely, I think it allows HID Proxy Mode (as advertised on the Website)

 

[JimmyS]

Thanks for your having reported what you found
So, I can leave the Rocketfish RF-MRBTAD on the "non-working" list.

Waiting for another report from you so

Edit: It seems you made the right choice for several reasons:
1. CSR 8510 Chipset seems to be recognized OOtB by OS X, just by editing plist File as described here -> http://www.tonymacx86.com/mountain-...-x-mountain-lion-10-8-2-wake-magic-mouse.html
2. CSR 8510 Chipset indeed HAVE HID Proxy Mode capability
3. If used on a laptop, Bluetooth 4.0 IS the right choice
4. I saw several posts on forums, and articles speaking of a little piece of software allowing to switch mode for the CSR Chipset, so, definitely, I think it allows HID Proxy Mode (as advertised on the Website)

I tried a BT dongle with CSR 8510 chipset for a few months earlier this year:

After kext modification it worked just fine (wake from sleep with magic trackpad + HID proxy) for a few weeks after which it just all of a sudden would not allow devices to connect anymore. I could pair my devices but I could never get them to connect, instead turned to an endless pairing loop. I restored from time machine backup but it didn't help, so I switched back to Belkin.

Your mileage may vary, though. I hope it works for you, and if it does, I might have another try at it too

 

[Nivsty]

To "check" if it does support HID Proxy Mode, just unplug it, replug it while in OS X, and pair your keyboard again (this is to ensure HCI Mode can be released).
Then reboot, and strike a key during boot time (when BIOS screen appear would be a good time), if the keyboard green light turns on and stay for 2 seconds, it means that the keyboard is trying to establish connection with a known receiver.
Then just after keyboard green light turns out, the CapsLock key light should turn on and STAY.
If so, then you have the ability to choose OS on the OS selection screen, and also enter BIOS right before that.

I guess mine doesn't support HID Proxy Mode.

Is there a way to use the same bluetooth connection keys in both Windows and Mac in a dual boot way without HID proxy yet? It's easily possibly doing this with Linux and Windows.

 

[carlosat4]

Ok, After searching around the net i came across another blue tooth USB which claims to support HiD Proxy Mode

LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES - BT820

http://uk.farnell.com/laird-technologies/bt820/usb-dongle-bluetooth-bt800-v4-0/dp/2360130

Here is the technical data sheet

http://uk.farnell.com/images/en_UK/pdf/laird-bt800.pdf

edit: also forgot to ask if anyone knows if the logitech unifyer bt reciever works in hid proxy mode?

thx, carlos

 

[sebkulu]

I guess mine doesn't support HID Proxy Mode.

Is there a way to use the same bluetooth connection keys in both Windows and Mac in a dual boot way without HID proxy yet? It's easily possibly doing this with Linux and Windows.

Ok, too bad

As for linking devices across all of your OSes, yes it is
Check there -> http://www.tonymacx86.com/general-h...gic-trackpad-magic-mouse-bluetooth-setup.html

Ok, After searching around the net i came across another blue tooth USB which claims to support HiD Proxy Mode

LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES - BT820

http://uk.farnell.com/laird-technologies/bt820/usb-dongle-bluetooth-bt800-v4-0/dp/2360130

Here is the technical data sheet

http://uk.farnell.com/images/en_UK/pdf/laird-bt800.pdf

edit: also forgot to ask if anyone knows if the logitech unifyer bt reciever works in hid proxy mode?

thx, carlos

For the Laird, we're already waiting for "planejanez" to report back after he test it, so you'll know

I had the same idea as you, and I happen to have one (Logitech universal receiver).
You're speaking of the dongle with a red button on it, which you have to maintain pushed while inserting the dongle into any USB port as to tell it to go with generic HCI Mode (instead of only pairing with a Logitech device)? I can't remember the dongle exact reference though...
So, it should work in HID Proxy Mode as Logitech devices are currently using it for allowing users to go to BIOS with their bluetooth wireless keyboards (did not test it 'cause I already had Belkin F8T016CW plugged in)