i can't seem to get bluetooth working

If you use the bluetooth send/recive files thing is it ok?

I don't understand what you mean? I haven't been able to do anything with the bluetooth at all other that what I already posted.
If there are any steps I should take to give you the information you need, let me know.

There is a bluetooth icon on the top panel, click it and select send file, or receive file. Use the phone in the appropriate way and you can get data to and from the system.

That is the icon I was using ... It has "Send File" and "Browse files on device".
"Send File" works.
When I tried "Browse files" the Icon disappeared.

How do I get the icon back?

It should be present when the hardware is usable

I unplugged the usb bluetooth device, stopped the bluetooth server, restarted the bluetooth server, and plugged the usb bluetooth unit back in.

The icon did not come back after doing this.

Here is the log:

root@desktop:~# service bluetooth start
 * Starting bluetooth
Dec 5 23:57:59 desktop obex-data-server: sdp_send_req_w4_rsp: Error sending data:Broken pipe
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Bluetooth daemon 4.96
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Starting SDP server
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop NetworkManager[1013]: <warn> bluez error getting default adapter: No such adapter
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop dbus[974]: [system] Activating service name='org.blueman.Mechanism' (using servicehelper)
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop blueman-mechanism: Starting blueman-mechanism
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop dbus[974]: [system] Successfully activated service 'org.blueman.Mechanism'
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop blueman-mechanism: loading Network
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop blueman-mechanism: loading Ppp
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop blueman-mechanism: loading Config
Dec 5 23:58:07 desktop blueman-mechanism: loading RfKill
Dec 5 23:58:22 desktop kernel: [48725.972027] usb 4-2: new full speed USB device number 5 using uhci_hcd
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: HCI dev 0 registered
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Listening for HCI events on hci0
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: HCI dev 0 up
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Name change failed: supplied name isn't valid UTF-8
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: input-headset driver probe failed for device 18:87:96:CA:BC:62
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Adapter /org/bluez/2954/hci0 has been enabled
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop pulseaudio[2568]: [pulseaudio] bluetooth-util.c: Error from RegisterEndpoint reply: org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.UnknownMethod
Dec 5 23:58:52 pulseaudio[2568]: last message repeated 2 times
Dec 5 23:58:52 desktop blueman-mechanism: Exiting

I agree that the icon should be present when the hardware is usable.

==> /var/log/syslog <==
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: HCI dev 0 registered
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Listening for HCI events on hci0
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: HCI dev 0 up
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Name change failed: supplied name isn't valid UTF-8
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: input-headset driver probe failed for device 18:87:96:CA:BC:62
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop bluetoothd[2954]: Adapter /org/bluez/2954/hci0 has been enabled
Dec 5 23:58:23 desktop pulseaudio[2568]: [pulseaudio] bluetooth-util.c: Error from RegisterEndpoint reply: org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.UnknownMethod

Should I submit this as a bug report?

Since I no longer have an icon for the bluetooth, I tried this:

john@desktop:~$ blueman-manager

This give me a button that says "Browse the device using obex ftp". When I click that button, still nothing happens.
It also gives me a button labeled "Send File". That button does work.

Loading configuration plugins
Using gconf config backend
_________
Load (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/PluginManager.py:68)
['PulseAudioProfile', 'Services']
_________
Load (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/PluginManager.py:68)
Unable to load plugin module PulseAudioProfile
PulseAudio applet plugin not loaded, nothing to do here
_________
__load_plugin (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/PluginManager.py:142)
loading <class 'blueman.plugins.manager.Services.Services'>
blueman-manager version 1.22 starting
_________
on_bluez_name_owner_changed (/usr/bin/blueman-manager:110)
org.bluez owner changed to :1.111
Using gconf config backend
_________
SetAdapter (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:301)
None
_________
on_adapter_changed (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerToolbar.py:89)
toolbar adapter /org/bluez/2954/hci0
_________
__init__ (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/Device.py:35)
caching initial properties
_________
add_device (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:360)
adding new device
_________
do_cache (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:556)
Caching new device 18:87:96:CA:BC:62
_________
row_update_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:278)
row update event Fake False
_________
row_update_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:278)
row update event Trusted 1
_________
row_update_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:278)
row update event Paired 1
_________
init_services (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/Device.py:91)
Loading services
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
Loading configuration plugins
Using gconf config backend
_________
SetAdapter (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:301)
None
_________
__init__ (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/Device.py:35)
caching initial properties
_________
add_device (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:360)
adding new device
_________
do_cache (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:556)
Caching new device 18:87:96:CA:BC:62
_________
__init__ (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/Device.py:35)
caching initial properties
_________
init_services (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/Device.py:91)
Loading services
{u'control': <blueman.bluez.ServiceInterface.ServiceInterface object at 0x1a9d490>, u'serial': <blueman.bluez.ServiceInterface.ServiceInterface object at 0x1a9d290>, u'introspectable': <blueman.bluez.ServiceInterface.ServiceInterface object at 0x1a9d190>, u'audio': <blueman.bluez.ServiceInterface.ServiceInterface object at 0x1a9d390>}
_________
child_closed (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/Functions.py:139)
['/usr/bin/blueman-assistant', u'--device=18:87:96:CA:BC:62'] closed
_________
__setattr__ (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/main/Device.py:138)
Setting property Trusted False
_________
on_device_property_changed (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:191)
list: device_prop_ch Trusted 0 /org/bluez/2954/hci0/dev_18_87_96_CA_BC_62 () {}
_________
row_update_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:278)
row update event Trusted 0
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
set_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:89)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x13a7d70 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cbb0)>
_________
set_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:89)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x1317e10 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cd50)>
_________
unset_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:103)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x13a7d70 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cbb0)>
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
unset_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:103)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x1317e10 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cd50)>
/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/MessageArea.py:169: Warning: g_object_set_qdata: assertion `G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed
  self.show()
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
set_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:89)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x13a7d70 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cbb0)>
_________
set_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:89)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x1317e10 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cd50)>
_________
on_device_property_changed (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:191)
list: device_prop_ch Connected 1 /org/bluez/2954/hci0/dev_18_87_96_CA_BC_62 () {}
_________
row_update_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:278)
row update event Connected 1
_________
monitor_power_levels (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:214)
starting monitor
_________
level_setup_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:339)
animating up
_________
unset_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:103)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x13a7d70 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cbb0)>
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
unset_op (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:103)
op: regenerating instance <ManagerDeviceMenu object at 0x1317e10 (GtkMenu at 0xf5cd50)>
_________
on_device_property_changed (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:191)
list: device_prop_ch Connected 0 /org/bluez/2954/hci0/dev_18_87_96_CA_BC_62 () {}
_________
row_update_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:278)
row update event Connected 0
_________
Generate (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceMenu.py:230)
HTC PH39100
_________
level_setup_event (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/manager/ManagerDeviceList.py:339)
animating down
_________
update (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/gui/DeviceList.py:215)
stopping monitor (not connected)
Loading configuration plugins
Using gconf config backend
Could not parse arguments: Unknown option --browser
_________
child_closed (/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/blueman/Functions.py:139)
['/usr/bin/blueman-browse', u'-d 18:87:96:CA:BC:62'] closed

Also, it seems I am not the only one having this problem:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/85033/device-browse-using-bluetooth-not-working-in-ubuntu-11-10

Here is another link showing another individual also has this problem: https://bugs.launchpad.net/blueman/+bug/877900/comments/1

Try running:

hcitool devAnd add the output to the bug too :)

john@desktop:~$ hcitool dev
Devices:
 hci0 00:10:60:A4:DA:30
john@desktop:~$

The adapter is detected then.

What else should I do to help resolve this?

Yes, the adapter is detected. I can send files to the device, but I cannot browse the files that are on the device. Do you need more information?

It may help to look in your syslog file and see if there's any extra information there about your problem (<alt><f2> and then type "gnome-system-log". When the log file viewer appears, scan down the list of log files on the left to find "syslog" and then click on that.).

HTH,

Thank you for responding Rob,

I've been a bit busy of late and only just now have been catching up on my e-mail.

syslog -> Jan 16 21:44:30 desktop obex-data-server: sdp_extract_seqtype: Unexpected end of packet

Could not display "obex://[18:87:96:CA:BC:62]/".
Error: DBus error org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.NoReply: Did not receive a reply. Possible causes include: the remote application did not send a reply, the message bus security policy blocked the reply, the reply timeout expired, or the network connection was broken.
Please select another viewer and try again.

Please try this and let me know:
$ sdptool search FTP
followed by
$ obexftp -b 01:23:45:67:89:01 -l
replace 01:23:45:67:89:01 with the bluetooth address of your phone
you can get the address of your phone by running
$ hcitool scan
if you do not have obexftp installed try
$ sudo apt-get install obexftp

It is worse today ...

john@desktop:~$ sdptool search FTP
Inquiring ...
Inquiry failed
Feb 3 08:40:58 desktop sdptool: sdp_general_inquiry: Inquiry failed:No such device
john@desktop:~$ obexftp -b 18:87:96:CA:BC:62 -l
Browsing 18:87:96:CA:BC:62 ...
Connecting...failed: connect
Tried to connect for 0ms
error on connect(): Invalid argument
Still trying to connect
Connecting...failed: connect
Tried to connect for 0ms
error on connect(): Invalid argument
Still trying to connect
Connecting...failed: connect
Tried to connect for 0ms
error on connect(): Invalid argument
Still trying to connect
john@desktop:~$ hcitool scan
Device is not available: No such device

==> /var/log/syslog <==
Feb 3 08:48:08 desktop kernel: [29849.368034] hub 4-0:1.0: over-current condition on port 1

device melted

problem not resolved, but no longer relevant

Well, this isn't answered and I have the same problem :/