Kill the startup sound?

[9]

On my iBook, adjusting the volume also affects the boot sound, even mutting it. The thing is, I HATE the startup sound, but I always forget to mute the sound when I reboot or shut down. Does anyone know of a way to kill the startup sound for good? If it doesn't affect the system volume otherwise, that would be even better!

[9]

Im suprised that over the past, what, 15 years? ...nobody has ever brought up silencing the startup sound? I know it can be done. Hasn't anyone thought of this before?

[msteiger]

The only solution I can think of would be two AppleScripts: No. 1 launched at startup to UNmute the sound, No. 2 at shutting down to mute sound. Perhaps a shell script could do the same?

[9]

Actually thats exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of. What I really need to know is how does one affect the system volume in a shell script?

[brodie]

theres an extension for os 9 called quiet start, but for X i dont know. maybe like msteiger says, put an applescript in your shutdown folder turning the volume down, and one in your startup turning it up.

[mervTormel]

seems like this would have to be done in open-firmware.

i kinda sorta remember that boot beep silencer of Mac OS not-X from a long time ago fiddling with the OF registers. alas, can't find it anymore.

searching google with "open firmware" +sound or possibly "boot beeps" ?...

http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:v7f6K20BJ80C:www.freiburg.linux.de/openbios/docs/rec.dse.app10.pdf+%22open+firmware%22+sound&hl=en&lr=lang_en

[Deiri87]

I heard that the "boooong" sound when you start up the computer goes off even before the actual system starts up; therefore not being able to change or turn off the sound, literaly. Is that true?

[pmccann]

Well the sound level is Applescript-able, so it's therefore shell-scriptable: in Applescript you can have something like...


repeat with i from 0 to 7
set volume i
say ("The sound level is currently " & i) using "Victoria"
end repeat


So in essence, "set volume 0" should be all you need to mute the system. Thus the following in a terminal window (or in a shell script) should also work fine:

osascript -e "set volume 0"

Of course the telling aspect is whether setting this just prior to rebooting results in the system remembering the current volume. Can't say I have great faith that it will, but worth a try!

Cheers,
Paul

[9]

Thank you, that does affect the volume level, but not the same way Im afraid. It doesn't actually mute the system volume level, so it doesn't affect the boot sound.

Is there any way to have a script that mimics a key press? If I can script a press of the 'mute' key on the keyboard, that should do it.

Thanks!

[spodie]

One way to kill all sounds coming out of your Mac is to install a dummy plug into the sound out port. This fools the Mac into thinking there are external speakers attached, routing sound through that port rather than through the internal speaker(s).

I think you can get a dummy plug at Radio Shack - and if not a dummy plug, some headphones come with adapters for different connectors. You can also cut off the plug from a pair of headphones or speakers and plug it in!

Hope this helps...:)

[Munky]

I read in a copy of MacUser (UK) (25 feb 2002 volume 18 no2) that the start up sound was very important as it as it shows that your hardware has passed serveral start up tests.

Quote, "Should your Mac ever suffer a hardware failure you'll hear a different sound alerting you to the problem."

Their solution: stick a pair of head phones or a blind stereo jack in the headphone socket as this will cut the internal speaker outputs.

[HyperHerod]

Yeah that's what I use, I had a pair af headphones that died, I took the plug and snipped the rest off it till just the plug and a tiny bit was left. I always leave it half-in ready to push in should I want to. One thing I've noticed is that if I put it in halfway through the startup sound, it doesn't mute it, so make sure it's in beforehand.

[9]

Thanks, good idea, but of no use to me. Sort of defeats the purpose of having a nice portable iBook if you have somthing sticking out the side all the time.

I am supprised that no one knows of a way to emulate keyboard input however. If I could just emulate a press of the mute key in a script it would solve the problem perfectly.

[JayBee]

Just to *really* noise things up, would it be possible to change the startup sound, or is it truly hardwired? I could live with something that didn't sound like a bad sample of an orchestra playing in a swamp. I know it's a bit of a classic, but you'd think that apple would be able to make it sound a bit less muddy on the new machines ;)

[A Little Peaved!]

My memory is similar to mervTormel- the startup sound was a binary resource stored in ROM, it had some kind of constant name for use from assembly or high-level programming, if I recall.

But even though it was a standard Mac-format sound resource, it was stored as binary only and loaded during startup (and played back) far in advance of most other programming, precluding most forms of user control except for some gnarly hacks that loaded very early in the boot sequence.

[vonleigh]

Hello,

What's wrong with muting the sound before you turn off, then turning it on after you start up again?

<http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20021007063720838&query=mute>



v

[MitchJi]

Hi,

There is a thread here on the topic. It works fine in OS9. The original post claimed it will work in OSX but someone else could not get it to work. See my reply there for more comments.


http://www.g4noise.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=18&t=309

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[A Little Peaved!]

As others have posted here, and in the linked threads, there seems to be no working solution for OS X.

mini-rant: folks, please READ threads instead of just linking them here- do not simply assume they contain working solutions! Doing otherwise just wastes everyone else's time. (note: this mini-rant is NOT directed to MitchJi, who provides both helpful information and requisite warning caveat regarding the link he posted.)

Even after manually turning off or lower sound in OS X before shutting down or restarting, on startup the startup sound is at factory-preset loud volume again.

vonleigh- what happens when you try your technique on your computer???

[vonleigh]

I don't understand your mini-rant. Since there's only two links posted, I guess it's directed at me (since you exclude mitchji).

Personally I took the hint at face value (it says it works on os 9 and 10.2) and since there wasn't anything in the comments to suggest otherwise... My computers are on 24/7 so I wouldn't really know.

The original poster asked about muting the startup sound. Since I don't think there are any shutdown items in Mac OS X; the best solution seems to be that he shut down the computer using a script, and add a script to the startup items.

For example the script could look something like:

tell Application "Finder"
set volume 0 (or maybe there's a mute?)
shutdown
end tell

He can put a nice restart logo on it, slap it in the dock (or the desktop, or both) and remember to shut down the computer using that instead of the power key.

Then in the startup items he could have the other script that sets the volume at a normal level.



v

[MitchJi]

Originally posted by A Little Peaved!

Even after manually turning off or lower sound in OS X before shutting down or restarting, on startup the startup sound is at factory-preset loud volume again.



Hi,

This doesn't exactly match my results on a DP867 with 10.2.4. If I manually mute or lower the volume with a script or with the slider before a restart I get the results I want. The problem is trying to automate the procedure. What I am trying to do is lower the volume at shutdown and raise it again when I logon. I got the following results:
1. If I put an Apple Script as a login item it prompts me run or quit when the system boots (so I know the script is running) but it doesn't actually change the volume.

2. If I add a LogoutHook in the /etc/ttys as specified on the Apple site and put in the path to a shell script that mutes or lowers the volume nothing happens to the volume (the script works if manually run).

3. If I add a LoginHook in the /etc/ttys as specified on the Apple site and put in the path to a shell script that raises the volume I get a blue screen and a dead keyboard when I restart. At this point my only option (I think) is to power down the computer.

BTW this is the link to the information on Apples site. The page is titled "Customizing Login and Logout Procedures"
http://developer.apple.com/techpubs/macosx/Essentials/SystemOverview/BootingLogin/chapter_4_section_14.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000981/CJBBAIAB

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[chabig]

9,

Simple answer...don't shut down your iBook...ever. There is really no need. Just put it to sleep, either from the menu, let it automatically sleep after inactivity, or close the lid.

Honestly, even if you have to listen to the beep, it's not that bad. It's just a normal part of your Mac starting. My TV makes a loud hum when I turn it on. My microwave oven beeps when I push the buttons. My car makes combustion noises when I crank the starter...you get the idea.

[A Little Peaved!]

Originally posted by vonleigh
I don't understand your mini-rant. Since there's only two links posted, I guess it's directed at me

yes, vonleigh, directed to you...

1. follow your link.

2. read the page.

3. click and read comments.

http://www.macosxhints.com/comment.php?mode=display&sid=20021007063720838&title=9+was+better+for+this&type=article&order=&pid=12521

Originally posted by jsass
Actually, there was a bug introduced in 10.2.1, such that even when my PowerBook is muted, I will still hear the startup chime.


get it?

sorry, not trying to be harsh here. also, not trying to single you out.

[A Little Peaved!]

Originally posted by MitchJi

This doesn't exactly match my results on a DP867 with 10.2.4.


10.2.4 seems to have fixed it. Sorry, my mistake, I assumed it was a "feature", not a bug.

Apologies to all for not taking my own advice, and giving it a try. I had given up on it earlier and forgot 10.2.4 update might change things.

[A Little Peaved!]

Originally posted by chabig

Honestly, even if you have to listen to the beep, it's not that bad. It's just a normal part of your Mac starting.

It's folks like chabig that are the reason why Microsoft Windows is the prevalent operating system, rather than Apple or anything better.

paraphrasing: "Even if you have to use an inferior user interface or operating system, it's not that bad. It's just a normal part of computing."

chabig, you should understand that many Apple users choose Apple computing rather than other alternatives because they are seeking a BETTER computing experience, not just interested in TOLERATING a lot of crap.

[A Little Peaved!]

Here's a thread I started previously, about perhaps a related topic to the issue of an unwanted, low-quality startup sound:

G4 Speaker- bad sound quality, too much distortion when high volume

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?threadid=9637


Perhaps someone here has some productive comments to add there...

[MitchJi]

Originally posted by chabig
9,

Simple answer...don't shut down your iBook...ever. There is really no need. Just put it to sleep, either from the menu, let it automatically sleep after inactivity, or close the lid.

Honestly, even if you have to listen to the beep, it's not that bad. It's just a normal part of your Mac starting. My TV makes a loud hum when I turn it on. My microwave oven beeps when I push the buttons. My car makes combustion noises when I crank the starter...you get the idea.

Hi,

I have the volume set with external speakers so that when I listen to music its very soft. My initial startup is no problem, I just don't turn on the speakers until after my Mac has booted.

The problem is that when I need to restart (into OS9 to run Disk Warrior for example) I frequently forget to turn off the speakers or mute the audio and its VERY LOUD. I actually worry about damaging the speakers.

This is $2k computer with a (supposedly) state of the art OS and I want to be able to set it up not to blast me out of the room if I forget to turn down the volume (this is what computers are good for, never forgetting). Its really not an unreasonable idea.

Thanks,

Mitch

[AKcrab]

Originally posted by MitchJi
This is $2k computer with a (supposedly) state of the art OS and I want to be able to set it up not to blast me out of the room if I forget to turn down the volume (this is what computers are good for, never forgetting). Its really not an unreasonable idea.
Now how would your computer "know" when you "forget" to turn down the volume?

Perhaps you weren't exactly clear here. Is it possible that you need to set the sound via the control panel in OS 9, as they don't share settings?

[MitchJi]

Originally posted by AKcrab
Now how would your computer "know" when you "forget" to turn down the volume?


Hi,

That's the whole point of this thread.

If I could set it up to mute or turn down the audio when it is shut down that would resolve the problem. I would be even better if I could set it up to raise the volume again at start up.

Mitch

[vonleigh]

Peaved,

Yes I did read the comment, and I assumed that 3 revisions later that bug was probably addressed; if not then it should've been entered as a bug (if not it will never get fixed). Guess what, it was fixed.

Additionally, I don't think that hearing a startup sound can be considered "tollerating crap". Please be a bit less quick to point out someone in a thread.

---

Mitch, try the following, in the script that gets called from tty, make it run as your user (su your_username) or root. I once had problems starting up classic remotely because as a different user from the main user (I was sshing into the box) I didn't have access to the windowserver.


Quick question though, if you set the volume low in OS 9 and restart in OS X does it preserve the volume? What about the other way around?



v

[A Little Peaved!]

Originally posted by vonleigh

Additionally, I don't think that hearing a startup sound can be considered "tollerating crap". [sic]


vonleigh-

guess you missed the entire point of this discussion. Try to pay attention.

Re-read the first post here...

I HATE the startup sound


Get it?

[vonleigh]

I get the point, and I'm trying to offer solutions. He doesn't want a startup sound, we all get that. Still _all_ personal computers have a startup sound, it's a way of saying "i'm ok".

Out of 6 posts only one offers information, 3 are to rant against me, 1 to rant to another person and 1 to plug your thread. Get that?

Now let's drop this stupid discussion and get back to offering solutions.


v

[MitchJi]

Originally posted by vonleigh

Mitch, try the following, in the script that gets called from tty, make it run as your user (su your_username) or root. I once had problems starting up classic remotely because as a different user from the main user (I was sshing into the box) I didn't have access to the windowserver.


Quick question though, if you set the volume low in OS 9 and restart in OS X does it preserve the volume? What about the other way around?

v

Hi vonleigh,

This is the contents of the script:
osascript -e "set volume 0"

What would that look like with an su added? Doesn't su require a password?

If I set the volume low in OS9 the OSX restart preserves the volume. I did not try the other way around but I am pretty sure that would work.

Thank You Very Much!

[A Little Peaved!]

vonleigh,

As I emphasized in my posts, it's nothing personal.

Unfortunately, you don't get that.

It's one thing to take criticism poorly (as you seem to do, even when it's not directed at you specifically). It's another thing (which you do) to confuse general remarks and ideas with personal criticism.

1. Posting links to threads, carelessly assuming they are solutions, without reading them isn't very helpful, and it wastes other people's time.

2. Promoting the idea that one should tolerate an undesirable computing experience rather than seek better solutions, alternatives or better products contradicts what Macintosh computing is all about.

These are not "rants" against you (or anyone else, for that matter).

Grow up.

Get over yourself.

[jasonxz]

I'm not sure if this is a bug or feature, or if it will even work on anything but my AGP G4/350.

If I set the sound to max, then it will not emit the startup chime, but it plays all other sounds at max.

If I lower the sound, then the chime will occur.

It has been this way on my G4 since the first version of OSX.

[vonleigh]

Hello,

Mitch, after re-reading that page I don't think it's going to work with logouthook as it's: "The full path to a script or tool to run when a user successfully logs out."

Once you're logged out, can applescript work? Maybe that's why it fails.

I'll think about it today see If I can come up with another way of doing it; and I'll google it a bit. But so far the only thing I can think of is adding a 'shutdown' to the applescript, putting a nice icon on it and slapping it into the dock. You'd just have to remember to shutdown the computer using the applescript instead of the power button.



v

[gelstudios]

this is how i did it:

Boot into os 9,
set your volume to mute (if so desired)
boot back into os x

(you shouldnt hear the chime)

done

[MitchJi]

Hi,

Mike who posted his solution at the url below said that it has been working for him for a few month's.

http://www.g4noise.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=18&t=309&st=0&#entry1855

He was kind enough to email me his ttys file and his Applescripts. If anyone else wants a copy you can send me an email. Using his files (I don't know what I was doing wrong) I got the following results:

OSX:
Turning off the audio during shutdown works! I was not able to get this to work before.

Turning on the audio while booting still doesn't work. Not only it does not work but after startup but I can't adjust the audio with a script until I adjust it manually with a slider. In other words it makes changing the volume with a script impossible until the slider has been manually changed. This doesn't happen with the original ttys file so it has something to do with running these scripts during login/logout. I might try removing them one at a time to see which process is causing that.

I thought if I delayed the when I turning on the volume until after the login was complete it might work so I manually tried this:
at now + 1 minute < VolumeMute
(VolumeMute is a shell script that contains the following:)
osascript -e "set volume 0"

It works when I run just the script manually but not when I try to schedule it for a later time with the "at" command so I don't think it will work as a hook. It really surprises me that it doesn't work with the "at" command.

So right now X mutes the audio when I shutdown. Then when after a startup I hit the slider (so the script will work) then a script to get the level I want. So even though I have to manually turn it on I no longer get blasted out of the room so I consider this a substantial improvement.

I'll post here if I discover anything else of interest.

Thanks for the help,

[A Little Peaved!]

try this:

http://www.bitheadz.com/dwnld/misc/StartupSoundMute.hqx

(disclaimer: i have not tried it)

[vonleigh]

That app is for os 9 btw.

[RAMd®d]

There hasn't been any activty on this thread for some time.

I've got a Cube and a 800MHz iBook that both lower or mute the Startup "Chime" with the System volume control, in Jag.6.

What is the AppleScript/shellscript Mitch used, that mutes the volume?

Rather than Mute (set volume 0), I'd like the lowest audible sound. Would "set volume 1" work? If I could lower the volume to the lowest audible setting rather than Mute it entirely, I would be very happy!

While I could live without it, has anybody discovered how to automate a volume level on Startup (in X, of course) yet?

For a one time Mute on Startup, I press the iB's Mute button and hold it for about two seconds while hitting the Power button, then release both. The Startup Chime is silent, but the volume resumes the level it was set to, prior to Shutdown.

I do this 95% of the time at home, and every time in a public place.

I don't know what would happen though with the VolumeMute in place, and starting in my Stealth mode, though. Any ideas?

Automating the Startup volume would be nice, but I'll be happy with just the Shutdown portion!

[MitchJi]

Hi,

This (in an Apple Script) turns off (mutes) the volume:
set volume 0

This (on my system) is soft:
set volume 0.5

This (on my system) is normal:
set volume 0.9

So you might want to start with 0.1 or 0.2.

If you follow the instructions I had both startup and shutdown might work for you. On my system (DP867) I can't change the volume after start up with a script until I do it manually. If you can change the volume with a script after booting the automatic change will probably work.

Edit: I just did some tests. If it set the shutdown volume to 0.04 the chime is audible at startup and my script to raise the volume to a higher level after the chime works.

If I set it to 0.02 I can't hear the startup chime, my system is totally silent (muted) after the chime and I can't raise the volume with a script (run either automatically or manually) until I manually raise the volume with the slider.

In other words if I completely mute the audio at shutdown I can't change the volume with scripts until I do it manually with the slider.

For right now I am going with totally silent and manually raising the volume after startup.

One further note is that I have external speakers.

Mitch

[RAMd®d]

Hm.

After some careful checking of the Alert and System Sound prefs, I've found that my iB's Startup Chime has only two volume levels-- Silent and ANNOYING.

My Cube's Startup Chime, however, does vary in proportional response to the System volume setting. (I wonder if this is unique to Macs that support "Soft Power On".)

This is somewhat disappointing.

Now I feel a bit more of a need for Startup Volume automation.

But I do want to go forth with the "Shutdown" version.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[emory]

just found this:

http://alphaomega.software.free.fr/startupchimestopper/Startup%20Chime%20Stopper.html

(the page takes a while to load by the way)

[RAMd®d]

It works on my iB.

If I could register it without using PayPal, I'd probably by it.

It seems to work OK, although unevenly. Sometimes my volume is Off (as in 0, not just muted) and sometimes it's where I left it when I shut down.

But it still does what I want.

[sanguivore]

I can't believe there is this much discussion on the damn startup sound. Just mute the sound before you reboot. It DOES work, it DOES mute the start up sound, you are doing something wrong if it doesnt work for you. Dont just turn it all the way down, push the mute button. By the way, if you have os 10 why are you ever rebooting? Are you changing hardware that often? OS X is unix, there is virtually no reason to reboot a unix system. I havent rebooted my web server in 8 over years other than hardware and power failures.

[Mikey-San]

Yeah. This thread seems like a silly waste of energy and frustration.

1. Why are you guys rebooting so much?

2. The startup chime is important--we're not talking about the little tinkly sound Windows makes as it gets to the desktop, here. If you don't hear it when you should, something may be wrong. (Corrupt PRAM/NVRAM, etc.) If you hear beeps on startup, something is DEFINITELY wrong. Who cares about one little bongggggg that you might hear once or twice a month? It's not really worth this much effort, guys.

[Craig R. Arko]

Lighten up a little, sanguivore. Hard though it is to believe, other people may have different usage patterns than you or I do. ;)

edit - anyone who finds a particular thread a waste of their time; well, there are plenty of other threads to chose from, guys.

[sanguivore]

Your right, I should lighten up. I expect too much. Why, after all, should I expect any gleam of common sense from a typical mac user, a person who probably bought a mac because it was "cute" or because it matched their decor? How silly of me, I am obviously the ass here.

[Craig R. Arko]

Yes, you are. I don't see that it buys you very much. :rolleyes:

[thevil]

Doesn't this hint (http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20031005165919533) work?

[RAMd®d]

...and maybe more life experience or you'll waste it getting your panties in a bunch over things that don't concern you. Yet you make that conscious choice.


I expect too much.

Yes you do, considering you really have no right to make any expectations of another user's circumstances, let alone unreasonable ones of someone you know absolutely nothing about.


Why, after all, should I expect any gleam of common sense from a typical mac user...

And what pray tell, makes you the arbiter of common sense? Certainly not that pissy little attitude of yours. Could it be your monsterous and obviously fragile ego that makes you think you know what a "typical mac [sic] user" is? What is a "typical mac user" anyway? Tell us how many Macs we own, how long we've been using Macs, etc.


Just mute the sound before you reboot. It DOES work, it DOES mute the start up sound

First, a news flash-- that method does not work on all Macs. Surprise-- I own one more than one Mac and this method does not work on most of them.

Second, I Shut my computers when I'm not using them. Some people prefer to Sleep them instead, and if that preference works for them- great. I prefer not to.

In addition, there has never been a conclusive study that proves whether or not a computer fares better being left on all the time or turned on and off on a regular basis, nor at what point it becomes beneficial to favor one practice over the other. If I used my computers several times throughout the day every day, I'd leave them on and Sleep them as I saw fit. But that is not my situation.

I selected a Mac because of the GUI. I didn't want to learn DOS. The command line was not my idea of productivity. But for those who prefer that, it affects me not. If I use a computer, it's to make less work. I'm not a fan of the "get a computer and jump through its hoops" philosophy. So rather than trying to remember Shutdown/Startup drills, I would prefer an automated solution. That would mean the computer is working for me, which is my preference.

By the by- OS X is not Unix. It *is* based on the Mach kernal true enough, though. Regardless, the OS does not determine when and why I startup, shutdown, or reboot. Those are my decisions, as it's the machine's job to work for me. That might change if I got a HAL-9000.

And as none of my Macs is a webserver and therefore enjoy some portability, your example of not rebooting "in 8 over years" is irrelevant and not particularly helpful. But good for you.


How silly of me, I am obviously the ass here.

Well indeed it is you, but there was really no need to state the obvious. I am glad we can come to agreement on something other than just the fact we both use "macs". (Unless you don't. Then I'd really have to wonder "WTF?")

- - -

This thread seems like a silly waste of energy and frustration.

Truth be told, I have lots of energy and getting informed views from other Mac users is always rewarding. The only truly silly aspect is the relative ease with which you condescend to dismiss the views of all the contributors.


Why are you guys rebooting so much?

Already addressed and really none of your concern, but thanks for asking.


The startup chime is important--we're not talking about the little tinkly sound Windows makes as it gets to the desktop, here.

Point taken, although you forgot to mention the "Breaking Glass" sound. Gommen asai- I don't agree with the degree of importance, though. For a little perspective, we're not talking about disconnecting ABS and air bag circuits or turning off IFF transponders. If one had difficulty that could be edified by the startup sounds, there would be alternatives such as booting from an OS CD. Yes, it's a little more work but for me that's an acceptable trade off.

So the two of you have stamped your little feet and proudly declared your disdain for, and superiority over "typical mac users". But that says more about you than it does about others, and it's not at all flattering.

We are not all the same. Our needs and circumstances may actually vary. Besides the fact that I find the volume level of most Macs' startup chimes excessive and therefore annoying, I'm also aware of the fact that others may find it even more so.

I see no need to move my computers so that they won't disturb a guest. She may even be a Mac user, but that doesn't mean I should lack all consideration. It's convenient not to have to remember drills so that I don't bother others in a library, meeting, or seminar. There is also no need for me to announce that I'm a Mac user. Nor do I use my cellphone in the theater or loudly discuss my business at the expense of others around me. You two may not have to make such considerations, or just choose not to.

Our computing circumstances can be as indvidual as the people we are. If they do not impinge on your personal freedom, why should they so aggrevate your sensibilities?

With or without your permissions (!) and blessings, my quest for an elegant solution continues.

[Craig R. Arko]

It is also possible to over-react to an over-reaction.

I hope we've reached the end of this, and can stick to the topic of the thread from now on.

Sound reasonable? Has thevil's hint been tried out?

[RAMd®d]

Sound reasonable?

Of course. I'm nothing if not reasonable. That's why I was careful not to over react. :-D


Has thevil's hint been tried out?

Not yet, but I've made note of it. I'm a GUI Guy, so I haven't done much in Terminal and only slightly more with AppleScripts.

I'm in training for MWSF so I'll give it a try afterwards.

[Craig R. Arko]

Cool. Have a great time at the Expo.

[detlef]

here is what I have been using since a few month. It works perfect.

Detlef
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mute the startup sound using a logout hook

First write a small script:

#!/bin/tcsh -f
osascript -e 'set volume 0'

I named mine mute.sh and saved it to /usr/local/bin/. Next, make it executable:
sudo chmod u+x /usr/local/bin/mute.sh
Add it as a logout hook using the defaults write command:
sudo defaults write com.apple.loginwindow LogoutHook /usr/local/bin/mute.sh

And last, make a small AppleScript with Script Editor to set the sound back to a normal level when the user logs back in.
set volume 3
Save it as a run-only application, and add it to your login items. Restart and listen to the startup sound, because you won't have to hear it again.

[sanguivore]

Wow, I touched a nerve, didn't I.

[Photek]

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/16780


there are a few of these apps knocking about, I think the first one came from Japan, I downloaded it and had no trouble with it on my TFT imac over 10 months.

[detlef]

http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~arcana/StartupSound/index.en.html

[MoveSprite]

i found this: http://alphaomega.software.free.fr/startupchimestopper/Startup%20Chime%20Stopper.html (Shareware/Nagware)

quote from the site:Startup Chime Stopper allows you to remove the irritating chime of your Macintosh at startup.



You are fed up with the irritating chime of your Macintosh at startup? You want to remove it?
Then Startup Chime Stopper is what you need!

Features:
- It removes the irritating chime of your Macintosh at startup.
- It is a background application that does not appear in the Dock.
- It doesn't need any installation which makes it very easy to use.
- It is available in English, in French, in German and in Italian.
Read the whole documentation for more details...

[detlef]

the chime is supposed to be there for some purpose. I don't know what, but it has a function. For that reason I don't like to turn it off completely. The link that I gave in my previous response is an application that lives in the system preferences. The sound of the chime can be adjusted to whatever level you like it to be. Don't be turned of by the Japanese language. Just download it and install it. The app is in english.

Detlef