How to Stop Annoying Sound (DUNGGG!!) on Start Up?

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Level 1

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How to Stop Annoying Sound (DUNGGG!!) on Start Up?

Been trying to stop this or change it for something more calming for ages but never been able to manage it on my new Macbook.

Whenever I change the sounds using "Preferences" it just never changes this startup sound. Any ideas?

Steve
PS did search the forums, but to no avail

Macbook Black, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Sep 17, 2007 3:15 AM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Sep 17, 2007 3:24 AM in response to Baku Steve

Yes, it can be a bit loud can't it!

It serves an important function: it indicates that the Mac has successfully located the operating system.

But if you want to reduce the volume, or even mute it, this little free app can do it:

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

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Answer 2

Sep 17, 2007 3:37 AM in response to Baku Steve

I was wondering about this too!
I discovered that by master muting the laptop (using F3 key) it makes no sound when starting up, or depending on the volume level will only play at what strength the master volume is set.
I also noticed that if the volume is not muted and you have headphones plugged in, (which forces all sound to go through them) it will still play from the laptop speakers. This makes me think its controlled by something more "locked" than the OS.
I used to change the start up and shut down sounds on my Windows PC all the time, I don't mind not having a shut down sound (it is a bit redundant), but the start tone on the Mac is ear piercing at high levels.
I just saw that other post by Klaus1, and the app he mentioned is recommended only for PowerPC Macs. It says nothing about Intel Macs and if you have a black MacBook I assume its an Intel machine. I don't have the cojones to try it on my mac but I'll Google for a similar app.

Message was edited by: ZephyrCurse

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Answer 3

Baku Steve Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2007 5:16 AM in response to ZephyrCurse

Thanks guys

I think I may have found the answer: MacPilot 2.3.5 claims it can disable the startup chime (scroll down). Haven't tried it yet though

Steve

"About Mac Pilot
Scared of the terminal or can’t be bothered to remember those commands to customize your system the way you want? Mac Pilot is your digital savior. Easily enable and disable hidden features in Mac OS X, optimize and repair your system, and perform numerous routine maintenance operations with the click of a button!

Pro user or not, you can now increase computer performance with only a few clicks of the mouse. Optimize your network for broadband connectivity, completely customize Apple File Sharing, perform essential maintenance without having to remember mind boggling acronyms, and much more. However, those are just a few of the many reasons why Mac Pilot is your choice over Cocktail, TinkerTool, and Onyx!

Enable the “cut” option in the Finder, disable menu items for security, disable icon caches, set history limits, erase recently used files, prevent your dock from being modified, turn off all system animations, increase the speed at which windows resize, change which format screenshots are taken in, set a default name and location for screenshots, disable a secondary processor, disable the startup chime, and even change the log-in window picture!

We welcome you to put Mac Pilot to the test against our competitors. Features, stability and interface say it all — but why don’t you be the judge? Download your free 15-day limitless evaluation now."

- http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/systemdiskutilities/macpilot.html

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Answer 4

Sep 17, 2007 11:26 AM in response to Baku Steve

That is not a bad program, I went and checked it out. Only problem is you have to pay for it 😝. Regardless at 20 bucks it does quite a bit and that includes hide/unhide folders files on your mac. How do you make a file "hidden" anyways? Also I would still love to find out how to change the startup sound, rather than just mute it. At least now we know it does something useful, and is not just there to **** off my professor for my morning class.

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Answer 5

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,924 points

Sep 17, 2007 11:40 AM in response to Baku Steve

I use the StartupSound preference pane Klaus1 linked to and it works great. On my G5, the startup chime comes on at the same level the system is at when running, so I don't need it there. But on my wife's Core Duo iMac, the startup sound always came on full blast regardless of where the system sound level is set at. StartupSound fixed that.

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Answer 6

Sep 17, 2007 12:36 PM in response to ZephyrCurse

The startup sound is built into the hardware. You can not change it. It sounds before the system has even accessed the hard drive.

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Answer 7

CT

Level 7

23,987 points

Sep 17, 2007 1:04 PM in response to Klaus1

{quote:title=Klaus1 wrote:}
It serves an important function: it indicates that the Mac has successfully located the operating system.

{quote}

Also, I think the startup sound reflects the result of some hardware tests. If you don't get the usual sound, something is wrong with your hardware (RAM, motherboard, etc.).

Long ago I started up my Mac IIfx (long, long ago) and got a little song instead of the usual "Bong". Turns out that song meant "Memory controller failure."

charlie

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Answer 8

Sep 17, 2007 1:12 PM in response to CT

I discovered that the alternate sound is known as the Death Sound, which is oddly a happy little song. If something is wrong with the hardware you will hear that tune. You can check the startup and death sounds of many macs on Mac Tracker.

Message was edited by: ZephyrCurse

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Answer 9

Baku Steve Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2007 11:08 PM in response to ZephyrCurse

Thanks for all your feedback everyone,

I'll leave the DUNNGGG on I think, rather that try to mess with what seems like it be an important startup process.

So I've been a Mac user for 3 months and so far there are 2 things that I just cant understand:
1 - Why no delete key on Macbooks? Utterly bonkers.
2 - Why the offensive DUNNGGG noise instead of something fluffy and nice?

Cheers for making this forum such a great resource.

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Answer 10

Sep 18, 2007 4:27 AM in response to Baku Steve

Why no delete key on Macbooks? Utterly bonkers.

Does the Macbook not have the 'backspace' key? - left-facing arrow, usually just above the return key. This is the delete key - deletes text backwards and command-delete will send selected items to the Trash. Full keyboards have a 'delete' key which deletes text forwards.

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Answer 11

chris_R

Level 2

301 points

Sep 18, 2007 6:04 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Yes it does. It also has delete forward by pressing function and backspace together. It took me a good 5 months to work that out though - they don't make it obvious.

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Answer 12

Sep 18, 2007 11:41 AM in response to chris_R

Yes the delete key is missing, and the backspace is now called delete, so it confused me as well for a while. The function delete combination so that you can forward delete doesn't actually bother me. It seems just as fast and finding the very tiny delete key on my PC. What I do wish they would do on macs is remove the little "alt" and "enter" above the option and return keys. I think it would look much cleaner.

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Answer 13

Sep 19, 2007 5:58 AM in response to Baku Steve

i've got a new 2.4 ghz macbook pro and have tried everything mentioned here including the programs, psst and the one klaus recommended. i've muted my computer and inserted headphones. apparently none of these solutions work with the new macbook pro although they work with older computers. any other ideas?

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Answer 14

Sep 19, 2007 9:04 AM in response to notspecialist

if you use the f3 key to mute your laptop, you should be fine. it works for me and i have the same configuration as you do on a brand new 15inch macbook pro. headphones however don't work.

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