Solved Help me understand Bluetooth with PCs

I hope I'm posting this in the correct section. If not, feel free to move it to the appropriate location.

I am a former PC user gone iMac for 10 years, and then back to PC about a year ago. Way back in 2006, the iMac defaulty had Blutooth on-board. Both the keyboard and mouse would function via Bluetooth BEFORE getting into the OS. This functionality was built into the BIOS. (Or whatever it's called nowadays.) I now have a PC that I'd like to use a BT keyboard and mouse with. It has a mini PCI-e Bluetooth/WiFi card installed, but will ONLY work once Windows loads with a driver. Consequently, the BIOS (or whatever it's called nowadays) does not have BT functionality built in. So, my keyboard and mouse are dead until I get into Windows. Two problems with this.

1.) If I want to go into the BIOS (or whatever it's called nowadays) too bad. I'd have to have another keyboard on hand at all times, just in case I want to do this.
2.) I have a dual boot system. I have a boot menu. I'd have to have another keyboard on hand at all times just to boot the machine.

I suppose BT peripherals just never caught on in the PC world. I find this intriguing, since many BT keyboards and mice sets are available for PC via PROPRIETARY dongle. Why haven't the PC main board manufacturers picked up on this? Apple was doing this 10 years ago. (I digress. Sorry.)

On to what I want to do. I have purchased a BT keyboard and mouse set that will work via BT 4.0. No big deal - I've got the card for that. BUT, I want these peripherals to work OUTSIDE of Windows. The keyboard (Microsoft designer keyboard) is a BT 4.0 device. If I buy a 3rd party BT 4.0 dongle, will I get functionality OUTSIDE of Windows? (The other OS I have installed is Linux - I'm not asking about that. I'm referring to functionality outside of ANY OS.) I suppose I could just buy one and try it, but I'm sure that many of you already have the answer. I'm not sure how the non-proprietary dongles work, and their requirements of drivers. I can't seem to find any solid info from any of the manufacturers. They assume everyone just uses Windows only and has no need or desire to access the mainboard settings in any way.

I am familiar with the peripheral devices that come with dongles - they are proprietary to those specific peripherals and will work regardless of drivers. However, I cannot find a keyboard like the one I have (Microsoft designer keyboard) that has this proprietary setup. I want to use the BT 4.0 keyboard I have with a BT 4.0 dongle and have it work without having to rely on Windows drivers. Anyone know if the dongles operate this way?

Sorry for the winded post, but I wanted to include as much info as possible. Thanks in advance.

I think the main difference between MAC and PC in this regard is that MAC went, as you say, with Bluetooth, whereas PCs went with 2.4 GHz wireless. I personally use the Logitech Unifying Receiver system on my PC's EG I currently have a Keyboard, MS Master Mouse for use at the desk and a Trackball, and a dual Keyboard / Trackpad for use when on the sofa.

I find that the wireless system is more reliable on the PC than Bluetooth, (which I also use on Phones and Tablets), the USB dongle works during boot of the PC, ( the Bios has an option that has to be on "Legacy USB support"). I also have a small Bluetooth backlit keyboard that I sometimes use for movie watching from the Sofa, but I am looking at replacing this with a Logitech device

I cannot say why the PC industry went one way and Apple went the other, but they did, both ways work but it's not to good for anyone moving from one to the other after investing in one system

Thank you for the detailed response.

"the USB dongle works during boot of the PC, ( the Bios has an option that has to be on "Legacy USB support")."

Thank you for this. While I guessed that this would be the case, I suppose I wanted to hear it from someone else before I purchased the dongle. We are only talking $12-$15, and I can always return if it's not going to work the way that I want. I'm not quite sure how the pairing will take place outside of Windows - I guess the first time I'll have to pair the items IN Windows (or whatever interface) and then they will be happy outside of any OS.

Thank you! I'll mark this solved, and I'll report back on the results.

Sorry for any confusion but I was talking about the 2.4GhHz wireless dongle being available before windows is fully loaded - the Bluetooth does not work until the drivers are loaded Inside windows, so a BT keyboard cannot be used in the BIOS, but a 2.4GHz wireless keyboard can

Ok - I understand now. My confusion was that the keyboard/mice/dongle sets that are on the market now are actually "Wireless", not Bluetooth. (I'm not sure why I was thinking that they were Bluetooth.) I guess I was assuming "Wireless" automatically means Bluetooth, but it doesn't. Now I'm straight. Thank you.

Ok. Well, time to return the keyboard I can't use. Here's a follow up question....

We have thousands of wireless devices to choose from - they all come with dongles. Is there not an internal card or a motherboard with this receiver built-in? Must we always be expected to use a USB port for these devices? I have no shortage of USB ports, but this seems a little primitive. LOL

That is the very reason that I use the Logitech system - Each device that you purchase comes with it's own Unifying receiver, but you can "attach up to six devices to a single Unifying Receiver, and they do a diverse range of devices. Logitech devices were my go-to devices before they developed this system, but the Unifying system has made things even better.

I have, as I said before, two keyboards and two Mice connected to my main system, but my second system and my laptop have some of the same devices linked to them in addition to their own specific devices

basic info is here ...
http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/promotions/6072

Now that I'm reading more up on this, I'm actually quite embarrassed that I was thinking what I was thinking. I know better than that. Duh. LOL Thank you!!!!