Why does my iMac keep making "shh" sounds?

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Level 1

5 points

Why does my iMac keep making "shh" sounds?

Just bought a mid-2011 iMac, updated to Mountain Lion, and it keeps making "shh" and "wshh" sounds (two different sounds, that sound kind of like Minecraft sounds).

These sounds occur randomly, and are definitely coming from the speakers. Due to them sounding like Minecraft sounds, I deleted Minecraft and all of its files, but the sounds persisted.

I've checked if it's Mail, but I've turned all the sounds off and closed the program, and they keep happening.

The only large changes I've done to the system since getting it are upgrading to OS X Mountain Lion and installing 4 GB RAM (to a total of 8).

Other than muting, is there anything I can do?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion, Mid-2011, 27''

Posted on Jul 29, 2012 8:44 AM

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Answer 1

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Jul 29, 2012 8:48 AM in response to MiasJr

Some chat programs will play sounds for random-seeming events, such as a contact becoming available online or going offline. Such programs include Messages, Skype and Adium. Check the preferences for any such program you have running, and see if the sound effects used match the sounds you're hearing.

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Answer 2

May 6, 2013 1:20 PM in response to MiasJr

Hi,

Note to All.

You can Highlight a Buddy in a Buddy List and then do a Get Info (CMD And i keys together).

This too has an Alerts option where sounds can be linked to the actions on an Individual basis.

This can be used in addition to the regular sounds so that a Buddy or Buddies have a different sound so that you don't miss them.

The Speech Option will "read" their Name when used with the Buddy Available without or without any sound being used if you wish.

9:19 PM Monday; May 6, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 3

JFrenaye

Level 1

4 points

Jul 29, 2012 10:26 AM in response to MiasJr

This was driving me nuts with Mountain Lion. Finally fond out what it was. Go into MESSAGES and then PREFERENCES and then ALERTS. By default the program plays the woosh when a buddy is available or becomes unavailable to chat.

Since MESSAGES now can talk to Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, etc. it is pulling all of your buddies from there, so when one signs on to check email and then leaves in a minute woosh woosh. Just pull down the list and uncheck the sound option!

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Answer 4

MiasJr Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 29, 2012 10:26 AM in response to thomas_r.

It was Messages, making the default sounds whenever anyone logged in or out of Facebook.

Feel like kind of an idiot now, hahaha.

Thanks a million, man.

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Answer 5

May 6, 2013 11:35 AM in response to JFrenaye

Thanks JFrenaye, this solved my problem.

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