user41889: I am having problems getting the Bluesmirf Mate Silver (RN-42) into command mode once I have switched to HID mode. I have bought a second new Bluesmirf Mate Silver to confirm my issue.
I soldered the Bluesmirf and connecting to Arduino Uno. I used the ‘Example code: Using Command Mode’ from https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf to successfully enter command mode.
I then entered the following commands in command mode (leaving out the comments):
SM,5   // Mode = 5, (any) Auto reconnect
SA,2   // Authentication Mode 2 (SSP, "just works" mode)
S-,myName  // // Set BT Name, This short name with no spaces is Picked up ok on windows
S~,6   // Enable HID on reboot
R,1    // Reboot to lock in perameters

Next I use a PC and pair with the bluetooth ‘keyboard’ I have created above. I am able to use the Bluetooth and Arduino sketches to write into notepad on the bluetooth connected PC. 
However now I cannot get back into command mode to make changes to the Bluesmirf config. Trying to use the example code above I can see ‘$$$U,9600,N’ typed into notepad on the connected PC each time I load the sketch, rather than being used to enter command mode. 
How do I get back into command mode after HID mode has been triggered.

user41889: I believe that the problem is caused by the mode I entered. According to the datasheet on pg 10 Auto-Connect Master Mode (SM,3) enters high speed mode and this connection cannot be broken via commands or software break characters. 
It goes on to explain that both Auto-Connect DTR Mode (SM,4) and Auto-Connect ANY Mode (SM,5) (which I used) function like Auto-Connect Master Mode (SM,3), so I guess that in these modes the $$$ escape characters cannot be used to enter command mode either.
I was able to resolve this by performing a hard factory reset on the Bluesmirf Mate Silver (RN-42). I previously tried following a couple of you-tube tutorials that weren't very clear and didn't have any success. I looked at the instructions in this thread titled 'Factory Reset the RN-41 or RN-42' to get me on the right lines.
This worked for me:

Connect the Bluesmirf Mate Silver GND pin to GND and disconnected all other pins
Connect a wire to 3.3v on Ardunio 
Load the Ardunio with an empty sketch, and keep it powered on 
Touch the 3.3v wire repeatedly (3+ times) to the GPIO4/PIO4 connection hole on the Bluesmirf. This is a third of the way down one edge of the board.
Factory reset should now be complete - note I didn't see any indication lights during this process.

Then I could wire up the Bluesmirf as normal and use ‘Example code: Using Command Mode’ from https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf to successfully enter command mode.

41889: <p>I am having problems getting the Bluesmirf Mate Silver (RN-42) into command mode once I have switched to HID mode. I have bought a second new Bluesmirf Mate Silver to confirm my issue.</p>

<p>I soldered the Bluesmirf and connecting to Arduino Uno. I used the ‘Example code: Using Command Mode’ from <a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf</a> to successfully enter command mode.</p>

<p>I then entered the following commands in command mode (leaving out the comments):</p>

<pre><code>SM,5   // Mode = 5, (any) Auto reconnect
SA,2   // Authentication Mode 2 (SSP, "just works" mode)
S-,myName  // // Set BT Name, This short name with no spaces is Picked up ok on windows
S~,6   // Enable HID on reboot
R,1    // Reboot to lock in perameters
</code></pre>

<p>Next I use a PC and pair with the bluetooth ‘keyboard’ I have created above. I am able to use the Bluetooth and Arduino sketches to write into notepad on the bluetooth connected PC. </p>

<p>However now I cannot get back into command mode to make changes to the Bluesmirf config. Trying to use the example code above I can see ‘<code>$$$U,9600,N</code>’ typed into notepad on the connected PC each time I load the sketch, rather than being used to enter command mode. </p>

<p>How do I get back into command mode after HID mode has been triggered.</p>
 41889: <p>I believe that the problem is caused by the mode I entered. According to the <a href="https://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Wireless/Bluetooth/bluetooth_cr_UG-v1.0r.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">datasheet</a> on pg 10 Auto-Connect Master Mode (SM,3) enters high speed mode and this <code>connection cannot be broken via commands or software break characters</code>. 
It goes on to explain that both Auto-Connect DTR Mode (SM,4) and Auto-Connect ANY Mode (SM,5) (which I used) function like Auto-Connect Master Mode (SM,3), so I guess that in these modes the <code>$$$</code> escape characters cannot be used to enter command mode either.</p>

<p>I was able to resolve this by performing a hard factory reset on the Bluesmirf Mate Silver (RN-42). I previously tried following a couple of you-tube tutorials that weren't very clear and didn't have any success. I looked at the <a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf/discuss#comment-55a587adce395f07568b4567" rel="nofollow noreferrer">instructions in this thread</a> titled 'Factory Reset the RN-41 or RN-42' to get me on the right lines.</p>

<p>This worked for me:</p>

<ol>
<li>Connect the Bluesmirf Mate Silver GND pin to GND and disconnected all other pins</li>
<li>Connect a wire to 3.3v on Ardunio </li>
<li>Load the Ardunio with an empty sketch, and keep it powered on </li>
<li>Touch the 3.3v wire repeatedly (3+ times) to the GPIO4/PIO4 connection hole on the Bluesmirf. This is a third of the way down one edge of the board.</li>
<li>Factory reset should now be complete - note I didn't see any indication lights during this process.</li>
</ol>

<p>Then I could wire up the Bluesmirf as normal and use ‘Example code: Using Command Mode’ from <a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/using-the-bluesmirf</a> to successfully enter command mode.</p>
