Bluetooth has Simply Disappeared

OK, this problem has me perplexed. Bluetooth seems to have completely vanished from my computer. I've reinstalled the driver to no effect. The only thing I can think of is that I usually kept the adapter disabled, and that I deleted the HP program which toggled that adapter on and off. Other than that, I've got nothing.

Has my bluetooth adapter gone bad? Has it gotten disconnected inside my laptop? Is there a piece of software I need to install to make my computer recognize it? How much would a new adapter cost? Is there a way to get a new bluetooth adapter for my computer?

Thanks,
AA

It would help if you provided the model of the HP computer.

The fact that you deleted the utility that HP provided to toggle the BlueTooth device on/off seems to me to be the key. I would go to the HP website and see if I could download and reinstall that utility.

It's also possible that the BlueTooth device has failed. If that's the case, you might be able to find a replacement someplace like Ebay by searching for the model number of the device. You also could buy a small USB BlueTooth dongle, I have one on this netbook I'm using now, it works well and was pretty cheap too.

This is an HP dm3 1003-TU. I purchased it in Thailand about a year and a half ago.

I will try to redownload the HP utility. I am having some problems with my home network but I will try to get it somehow.

Thanks!

AA