I need help pairing Think Outside bluetooth keyboard

[jasu]

I have an Archos 101 and have bluetooth enabled. I have a Think Outside Stowaway Wireless Keyboard that I would like to link.

Per the tablet and keyboard instructions, I used this procedure:

Go to wireless & networks; ensure Bluetooth is checked, access Bluetooth settings; unfold the keyboard so it is on, scan for devices; (the tablet finds the keyboard and I select it to pop up the pin input dialog box... then I type 1234 and press OK) the dialog box goes away. Next, on the Stowaway keyboard I press the left hand Fn (blue) key (to enable to numbers) followed by 1234 and Enter. Now the tablet says, it is unable to connect to the keyboard because the pin is incorrect.

OK... either I don't understand how to type in the pin on the keyboard (very possible) or there is something wrong on the tablet, or the process I used is screwed up.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[bsoplinger]

I've never used a BT keyboard that didn't have explicit number keys. I've always done just what you've described to pair and not had problems. Do you perhaps need to keep the Fn key depressed to get numbers? Or perhaps its a toggle, press once and you get numbers until you press again?

[jasu]

Like you, this is the first time using a keyboard where you must depress a Fn key in order to use numbers. The bluetooth input requires numbers or I would try charactors instead. I tried toggling the Fn key then numbers and also holding it down.... same results... the tablet pops up a note that says the pin was incorrect.

I am hoping someone has the same keyboard with the same results or some solution. Right now I don't know if it is a bad keyboard, bad tablet, or (good possibility) user error!

Thanks for your reply though.

[fbott]

I have to double check, but I think you have to hit the enter key on the keyboard after you type in the 1234.
It sends the numbers to the device.

(edit) OK I just read your post again and saw that you did hit enter. (edit)

I had this keyboard years ago and I remember missing that step myself.
I still have the keyboard somewhere. I will try it today and see if that works.

[fbott]

OK I checked and was able to connect without any problem.

There is another step that you didn't mention doing.
Did you put the keyboard in discoverable mode?
To do this you must hold down the control, green fn key, and blue fn key at the same time until the green light on the keyboard starts flashing.
Then you enter the number and hit enter.

[jasu]

I think you are helping me narrow down that the problem is in my keyboard. I was surprised you had the same keyboard and really appreciate your testing it with the tablet to help figure out if it works.

I didn't realize that the two function keys made the keyboard discoverable. This morning I tried to get the green light to blink by holding down the green and blue Fn keys together. The light does not blink... the problem persists with the note on the tablet that says the pin was incorrect.

The batteries are new. When I open the keyboard the green light flashes once every second for about 25 second and then goes dark. Pressing both Fn keys together does not enable the flashing lights. This leads me to believe the keyboard has a problem.

Do you install a driver on the tablet? And if so, how?

I really appreciate your information on the keyboard.

[fbott]

I'm not trying to be picky, but you have to hold down three keys at the same time to become discoverable.
The control key, the blue fn key, and the green fn key.
I think that may be the problem.

I did not have to install anything on the tablet. I just turned on bluetooth and put it in discovery mode.

[jasu]

This is like pulling hen's teeth....

You are not picky... and thanks for hanging in there. I feel like I am learning the darn thing one key at a time...

OK... the three key combination does start my green light blinking again. Thanks for picking up on the issue with the Ctrl key. Maybe I am doing something else wrong.. so here is the EXACT steps I am using...
1. Access the Bluetooth settings screen
2. Open the keyboard, press the Ctrl, and both Fn keys together... the green light blinks once per second
3. Select Scan for devices, Think Outside Keyboard shows up on the screen, press it and the bluetooth paring request screen shows... note... at this point the green light stops blinking
4. Type in 1234 and OK, message disappears
5. Press Fn (blue) key, then, 1234 and Enter
6. Immediately an Attention screen displays saying the pin is incorrect.

Sorry ... I sure feel dumb on this ....

[fbott]

OK, I will try to remember what I did step by step.
Forgive me, I tend to just do things without thinking about them so it is hard to remember every single step for me.

On the Tablet:

1) Turn on the tablet.
2) Select Settings.
3) Select Wireless and Networks.
4) Select Bluetooth to turn it on.
5) Select Bluetooth Settings.
6) Select Discoverable to make device discoverable.
7) Select Scan for Devices. The tablet starts scanning with a countdown (perhaps discoverable had the countdown).

On the keyboard:

1) Press the Control key, green fn key, and blue fn key at the same time. Light starts blinking green.

Here is where I can't remember the exact series of events. Sorry.

On the Tablet:

1) Tablet discovers keyboard and I enter the pin. I used 1234 just to test if it would work.

On the keyboard:

1) I hold down the blue fn key and type 1234.
2) release the blue fn key and hit the enter key.

It connected and everything worked.
I hope this helps because I cannot find a way to delete the keyboard from the device list now that it is in so I can't really replicate the exact first time I connected.

edit:
OK I figured out how to unpair and start over. The only thing I would add is that after the keyboard is discovered the green light stops blinking. Then you type in the pin and hit enter.

[jasu]

WOW... your last set of instructions worked perfectly... the problem was "user error" naturally.

When I typed the number keys for the pin, I did NOT hold the Fn key down... I just clicked it once and then entered 1234. Holding the function key down made it pair instantly...

Thanks so much for your wonderful help and for hanging in there to make it happen.

You have just made my day!!!!!

[fbott]

You are very welcome.
I have received a lot of help through this forum from some very knowlegable people.
I am just glad that I was able to help someone for a change.

[jasu]

If we didn't have these forums I know I would be in a lot of trouble. You certainly have helped me and I'll be sure to pass the info on to friends who are planning to buy the same type of equipment. So, thanks again. My lack of experience in the Android arena makes it pretty certain you may be able to help me again.

Have a great day!

[ashram]

good to know, as i have one of these keyboards... just don't remember where i put it

[TimeHunter]

Just as a bit of future advice, the Fn select key is almost never a "click and stick" key. In every case I have ever experienced, you always have to hold it down while you press the other key that actually has the function you want to use. Think of it basically as a non locking shift key where if you wanted the capital letter you would always have to hold the shift key down.

And that doesn't really have anything to do with Android, just a basic design of all the compact type keyboards that have the alternate function items.

[jasu]

Good advise... thanks. I'll remember that. I bought this keyboard to use with an older phone and was never able to link it. Now I know why... operator error. Thanks for the tips.

[steveb625]

Thanks to this post I decided to re-try my IGO keyboard. This time it connected and worked almost immediately. In fact I am using it now for this reply! A BIG THANKS for sparking my interest again. I will now be using this keyboard along with the A70 in my "road kit".

[histrel]

Thank you for taking the time to post these instructions. I got my Stowaway second hand so never had instructions. I have never been able to figure out how to pair until now (and it was just one simple user error!). I now have my Stowaway paired with my Archos 101

[slinknet]

I have the same setup as this and managed to get the keboard psired once, since then it is recognised but doesn't pair. Does anyone know how to remove the paired devices so that I can start again, or is it a complete Archos 70 reset?

[bsoplinger]

I have the same setup as this and managed to get the keboard psired once, since then it is recognised but doesn't pair. Does anyone know how to remove the paired devices so that I can start again, or is it a complete Archos 70 reset?

just long tap (tap and keep your finger down) on the paired device. A pop-up will show with an option to delete.

[slinknet]

Thanks for the help. I didn't realise that there was a menu if you pressed the device item for three seconds or so. Managed to get it all reconnected. Not sure if it will reconnect after a reboot or if a rescan is required, will try that later. I can recommend this keyboard to others though, it's a great help as the on screen keyboards are not brilliant.