how to disable start up sound in macbook air

totally agree with Itchy92 as well! These workarounds are such a hassle that I wont even bother, why couldnt there be a simple setting for this to make the macs more user friendly?

I would recommend not turning off the startup chime. It is an important signal when to hit and hold certain keys for a multitude of things. Just wanted to add this to the discussion. It only happens at boot and most people are not constantly booting.

You are not alone, itchy, I agree totally. This seems like such a simple user preference, yet Apple doesn't even let someone make a choice. Does Apple think its users are all idiots who can't make a simple choice like muting the startup sound or even changing it to something less loud an annoying? I am disappointed that I will either have to put up with this annoying sound or download a workaround. Microsoft has its serious drawbacks, but at least one can make small changes like this one.

As for needing the sound as an important indicator of whether or not something is wrong, why can't there be an option to choose a visual indicator for startup problems? What about deaf and hard-of-hearing people -- do they just have to guess something is wrong if they can't hear the tone?

Okay, enough ranting for me. Will just be annoyed for now or maybe will turn volume off until I need it hoping that will do the trick.

I love that you're angry and your name is Itchy.

I too could not agree more with Itchy. And as to SSLS6's remark, it may be an important signal but not being able to control its volume is absurd. Some of us use our macs in very quiet environments like libraries. Imagine the racket of dozens of Macs starting up.

Yes I think it is absurd, asinine, idiotic, and typical Apple. "Why would anyone want to possibly change anything that we designed/set for you? Besides, Windows lets you change these settings and we don't want to be ANYTHING like Windows..." Apple, are you listening?

I think this is the best and most simple solution. Open a Terminal window and type (or copy/paste) the following to turn down the startup noise:

sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume="%00"

And to restore it to the original value type:

sudo nvram -d SystemAudioVolume

That's all folks.

Mr. Lion, is that a permanent solution? Does that affect other sounds besides the startup noise? Does it need to be restored after you turn on your computer every time?

Yes, it's a permanent solution and it does not affect any other sounds. Try it, you'll like it.

It works! Thanks, Mr. Lion, I was looking all over for this. How did you figure it out?

Great solution Mr Lion. It worked for me! Cheers.

Like most here, I agree it's ridiculous there's no setting for this. However... please, show me the computer system without some kind of byzantine hassle, somewhere, eventually. It doesn't exist, and it's *sure* not Windows.

ssls6 wrote:

I would recommend not turning off the startup chime. It is an important signal when to hit and hold certain keys for a multitude of things. Just wanted to add this to the discussion. It only happens at boot and most people are not constantly booting.

I understand Itchy and others' frustration with the bootup sound. I too have the same frustration sometimes, for example, when I wake up early and start my iMac, the bloody chime wakes everyone else in the house.

I do understand that the chime serves a purpose as a diagnostic, so it was not put in just for laughs. Lowering the volume using one or more of the methods described here is a happy medium for me on this issue.

Hi Mr. Lion

You wrote:

"I think this is the best and most simple solution. Open a Terminal window and type (or copy/paste) the following to turn down the startup noise:

sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume="%00"

And to restore it to the original value type:

sudo nvram -d SystemAudioVolum"

How would I tweak that script to just reduce the startup sound to almost zero? Say 1%?

Thanks

%01 I guess, but maybe a slightly higher value to make it work like %10.