Connect options in mBlock greyed out

#1

I have two mBots, one with Bluetooth and one with the 2.4GHz USB dongle. I can connect to either of them no problem from a Windows 8 machine, however on a Windows 8.1 machine the Connect option for 2.4GHz and the Discover option for Bluetooth are both greyed out. Likewise the serial port options are greyed out, also Custom Connect under Network. I have installed the Arduino driver and rebooted and have the 2.4GHz USB dongle connected.

mBot is selected under Boards.

Any suggestions as to why I’m unable to connect?

#2

From the mBlock software, you don’t connect using the Bluetooth option. It’s counterintuitive. The computers Bluetooth adapter connects using SPP, Serial Port Profile. It makes the Bluetooth look and act like a simple standard serial port. In the mBlock software, you connect under the serial port option. Under Windows, you’ll most likely have simply ‘Port 3 or 4 or 5’. Choose the lowest port number, usually. Under OS/X, the serial port will be something like ‘/dev/ELECSPP’. I don’t have my notes with me so I know that isn’t spelled quite right. Good luck and let us know.