It looks like you have Broadcom drivers which may be the problem. The other problem is, the PC will probably want to install those drivers if you uninstall and reinstall. You may be able to "swap" drivers if you choose "update driver" in the device manager but like I said, I'm always a bit cautious about doing that since there are occasions when it messes things up even more and I'd hate to be the one who told you to mess it all up.

Found this on Wikipedia Bluetooth Stack, I know it isn't always the best source of accurate info but this is at least references to a Microsoft BT FAQ document...

"Which Bluetooth host controllers does Windows support? With Windows, a Bluetooth radio can be packaged as an external dongle or embedded inside a computer but it must be connected to one of the computer's USB ports. The Bluetooth stack that is included with Windows 7 and Windows Vista does not support Bluetooth radio connections over PCI, I2C, serial, Secure Digital I/O (SDIO), CompactFlash, or PC Card interfaces. "

Unless I'm reading this wrong it means that unless I plug in a USB BT dongle to my laptop and disable the onboard BT module it's never going to be using the windows stack, which would explain a few things.

I bought a usb bt adapter and disabled the onboard one. The USB device shows as Generic Bluetooth Radio and is using a Microsoft driver in place of the Dell one but I still can't establish a connection, tried both COM ports, debug report as below, same response from firmware update and ARC...

Attempting connection on COM16 Connection Failed: System.TimeoutException: The write timed out. at System.IO.Ports.SerialStream.Write(Byte[] array, Int32 offset, Int32 count, Int32 timeout) at System.IO.Ports.SerialPort.Write(Byte[] buffer, Int32 offset, Int32 count) at EZ_B.EZB.Connect(String hostname, String tcpPassword, Int32 baudRate) Disconnected Attempting connection on COM7 Comm Err: The operation has timed out. BbytesToExpect: 1

Received: Disconnected Connection Failed: System.Exception: Controller Not Responding at EZ_B.EZB.Connect(String hostname, String tcpPassword, Int32 baudRate) Disconnected

Have I got another defective board?

@Peter let's back things up again. Anytime we change something in the scenario we need to start from the beginning. Do you have several Bluetooth serial devices? Its unusual to have com ports that high unless there are many others. First make sure the Bluetooth is showing generic Bluetooth stack. Remove any saved bluetooth profiles, apply power to ezb and within 5 to 10 seconds search for devices , connect. It will be named linvor. Enter existing Pair code 1234. It will remember the connection and install. Next remove ezb power for a fee seconds and reconnect. Once both ezb lights are blinking attempt connection with the firmware updater. , choose the lowest of the two com ports assigned to ezb. If it gives an error and asks if you want to watch the tutorial click no and try to connect again. Sometimes background stuff takes a few seconds and varies from PC to PC. Try it a third time if needed. The Bluetooth on ezb stays discoverable for 30 seconds once active to make a connection. Please make sure once you have a connection and firmware is updating that you DO NOT remove the power. Doing so could leave the firmware only partially installed and unusable.

Did you manage to discover the EZ-B bluetooth ?

Take in mind it won't say "ezb Bluetooth" at first. It will just say Bluetooth device

I agree with Josh but why comm ports 16 and 7? I would expect them to be sequential say 15&16 or 7&8 odd. You may have just been unlucky with the dongle you got?

I would say the new dongle gave the EZ-B the higher number COM ports when it was re-paired. So 16 and 17. Use the lowest of the two, so COM16 should be the one to use. However, windows can decide to do whatever it likes and set it to anything, but chances are it's COM16 you need to use.

If it hasn't been re-paired, re-pair it. Go to your devices and printers. Right click on the EZ-B (or Linvor) and check which COM port it uses (in the Hardware tab).

One of my EZ-Bs is COM17 and the other EZ-B COM18, a high number is not always an indication of a problem. Neither is having COM ports that are not sequential.

If you still struggle, I can always take a look at it if you have TeamViewer installed. At least that will ensure it's not a configuration problem on the PC side of things. Just say the word and we can arrange a time suitable.