How to disable startup sound on iMac Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,
I am the happy owner for a few weeks of a splendid 24" iMac 2.4 GHz Intel Core Duo with of course version 10.5.1 of Leopard. Unfortunately, I have a problem that is certainly minor but unpleasant: I cannot turn off the startup "gong" sound of the device. I sometimes get up to work at night during insomnia and do not want to wake everyone up. I have already tried unsuccessfully 2 solutions found on forums, namely: "Psst" and "StartupSound". I suppose these programs do not work with my configuration. Are there any other possibilities?
Thank you in advance to the Mac experts for their help!

Configuration: Mac OS X 10.5.1 (Leopard) 24", 2.4 GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB memory, 500GB hard drive, Safari 523.10.6

Anonymous user · Answer

Hello,
on some Macs, simply plugging a jack plug into the audio output (headphone jack) is enough.
Otherwise, there is the option to mute the sound before shutting down the Mac. It works for me.
Best regards
--

Sanspseudo - Francis
iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11

max4 · Answer

Thank you for the advice. I always have a pair of external powered speakers connected to the audio output, and indeed on my old iMac it was enough to cut that damned startup sound, but this new iMac doesn't work that way; the sound doesn't come from there, it stays on the computer's outputs... As for lowering the volume or muting it, it's true that it works and it's simple, but I still see two drawbacks: you have to remember to do it, and you also have to remember to turn the volume back up when you restart, and all that on such a great device technology-wise, seems to me like going back to prehistory!

Anonymous user · Answer

Good evening,  I completely agree with you. I'm in the same situation. My Mac is constantly connected to a mini HiFi system. It was great with my old Macs, but with my current iMac G5, that's over.  I don't use "Psst," which works well for me, but I don't like that kind of software gimmick. (There are others, but even more "questionable" as they intervene deep into the system). As for your case, if using such software doesn't bother you, then all that's left is to wait for an update of Psst.  Best wishes  --   Sanspseudo - Francis  iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11

max4 · Answer

It is now important to know that in order to be certain, I, despite my reluctance, muted the sound before turning off my iMac, and let me tell you that it has absolutely no effect on that cursed startup "gong." I really tried everything by turning the volumes down to zero and checking all the mute boxes for outputs and inputs in the system preferences, but nothing works; that sound is completely independent in terms of its management and operates on the internal speakers while disconnected from any external speakers. It is truly a challenge to find a solution to eliminate that sound!

Anonymous user · Answer

Hello, At my place, muting the sound before startup works. All the management of this kind of things must be in the startup ROM, and so it differs depending on the types of Macs.. The solution is clear for all of us in this situation, a radical solution: disconnect the internal speakers!! Anyway, I never use them - since I'm always connected to my mini Hi-Fi system... here we go :-)  See you later --  Withoutnickname - Francis iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11

iTwan · Answer

Try this link, it works for me!  http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~arcana/StartupSound/index.fr.html

Anonymous user · Answer

GOOD EVENING,  As far as I'm concerned, I am wary of this kind of "software," which resembles more of a hack than anything else. This is a personal opinion, of course.  Best regards --  Sanspseudo - Francis iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11

iTwan · Answer

Good evening, I don't necessarily see a problem with using it. Even though this little plug-in integrates with the system preferences panel, it remains lightweight. Personally, I've been using it for at least a good year under Tiger and then Leopard. I haven't noticed any problems whatsoever. The annoyance caused by the startup sound was significant for me, so I'm happy to be able to control this parameter. That's my experience; if it can help some of you, that's already good... See you soon.

Anonymous user · Answer

Good evening,  OK - I haven't criticized anything - Your experience is certainly useful to everyone. It's just that I personally may be overly wary of this kind of software, as I've read a lot about problems resulting particularly from hacks; this kind of software modifies the source code of Mac OS, or requires installation when extensions are disabled, so that at the next startup the "normal" extensions, that is to say those native to Mac OS, can accommodate the presence of an extension already loaded in the system kernel. To say that I am cautious, I have the little software "Psst", which acts differently, in that it automatically mutes the sound before shutting down the Mac (which I can do manually), so that upon startup the Mac does not emit any sound. (It seems that it doesn't work on all Macs either), so in theory it's risk-free, yet I don't use it.  I must be a bit paranoid, actually. :-)  Sincerely and good night --  Sanspseudo - Francis iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11

iTwan · Answer

Hello Francis,

Don't worry, I didn't take your intervention badly.
I just think that we need to provide users with options and clarify that I am satisfied with this product.

I believe, as you probably do, that paranoia has its benefits in machine maintenance.
In my specific case, the times when I start my machine and its location could be a source of inconvenience for those around me. The gain being more appreciable than the risk, I didn't hesitate too long.

It's true that I regularly back up my machine's data and that reinstalling it wouldn't trouble me too much. So this frees me to test certain solutions. Since the kernel is a Unix, doing a "clean" installation of OS X is enough to ensure the disappearance of these more or less dubious additions.

I have experimented with much bulkier hacks, and I confess, not always with total satisfaction. So your caution is welcome. Thank you for pointing out what can cause problems.

But I repeat for those who have a real issue with the "gong," this application has never caused me any problems.
Now that you're informed, the choice to install it or not is up to each individual.

See you soon.

JD · Answer

I don't know either, but you can always plug a pair of headphones into the audio out jack of your sound card (or simply a mini Sony plug as long as you have something connected to the output, it mutes the sound). Happy to help, JD.

Anonymous user · Answer

HELLO! It doesn't work with all Macs, as explained above. --  Sanspseudo - Francis iMac G5 2ghz 2Go - OS 10.4.11

max4 · Answer

Sure, as Francis says, it doesn't work on all Macs.  I tried again to be sure, using Itwan's link. But there's nothing to be done. I turned it off and on several times because I read that it only works after a second restart, but all that was ineffective. I can’t even lower the volume of that sound; by the way, what's surprising is that the little lock at the bottom left that you can lock to prevent changes is always back open when I reopen system preferences, even though I had closed it before restarting.  Anyway, this failure applies to Starupsound as well as to Psst, which I had also already tried as I mentioned in my first message.  But thank you anyway and keep brainstorming guys, we’ll figure it out eventually, right?

soleil91 · Answer

https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/16780/psst  why not ???????? good evening ----------

Max4 · Answer

Ok. Well, at the risk of repeating myself, and although I've tried once again just to be sure, it still doesn't work with PSST. And believe me, I regret this. That said, when we look at the configurations with which it works, we notice that there are no iMacs with Intel Core Duo, nothing above version 10.4.10 of Mac OS X. I suppose this explains it...

iTwan · Answer

Hello World,  I'm having trouble understanding: I have an iMac G5 and an Intel MacBook. Both are running Leopard.  I have no problems with the gong. On both machines, the gong is muted by StartUpSound PrefPane.... You might end up thinking I'm advertising...  I'll give it a try on my dad's Intel iMac to see. I'll keep you posted as soon as I have the test result.  See you World.

iTwan · Answer

Hello World,  I have trouble understanding: I have an iMac G5 and a MacBook Intel. Both are running Leopard.  I have no problem with the gong. On both machines, the gong is muted by StartUpSound PrefPane.... You might end up thinking I'm advertising...  I'll give it a shot on my father's Intel iMac to see. I'll keep you updated as soon as I have the test result.  See you World.

an21 · Answer

I HAVE THE ANSWER!!! At least it works on my iBook G4 1 GHz.

Before pressing the power button to turn on the computer, you must first press the "mute" and "volume -" buttons.

Then, you need to hold down both buttons for a few seconds during startup. It works very well.

I think Leopard is like Tiger in this regard. Otherwise, you can also just remove the startup sound; that's another option.

There you go!

Bye

webdom · Answer

The sound cutoff at the startup of the Intel iMac is possible; here is the procedure.  Before turning off the iMac, set the volume to zero. Upon rebooting, you must remove the jack for it to work.  It's a strange operation, but that's how it is; if there is a jack plugged in, sound will come out of the INTERNAL SPEAKERS.

Max4 · Answer

Thank you webdom, it's okay, it works, finally! Well, it's not the ideal solution because I must remember to mute the sound and remove the jack every time I turn off the Mac and put everything back afterward. But at least I can turn it on without disturbing!

iTwan · Answer

Hello everyone, I take advantage of the last intervention to confirm as promised that StartUpSound PrefPane works on all the Macs I have installed it on. However, I noticed that the "Mute" checkbox malfunctions on some systems, so it is necessary to set the volume to 0 with the slider; this only affects the startup sound.

Gawel63 · Answer

Hello everyone.
It's important to know one thing about the iMac G5: it manages 2 different audio outputs, so setting the output volume to 0, if a jack is connected, will have no effect on the startup chime's volume.
In fact, to adjust the volume of the latter, you need to change the volume when no device is connected to the iMac's jack output.
You can therefore completely mute the sound by setting it to zero when your iMac is not connected to other speakers, and this will not affect the output volume when your additional speakers are connected.
I hope I have been clear enough.
++

HICHAM · Answer

Hello  I would like to know how to get sound when you turn on the computer. Could you please leave me an answer? Thank you in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cocogaga · Answer

http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~arcana/index.en.html  It's free and it works on 10.5.

Jem · Answer

Hello everyone, the solution to the iMac problem https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/19425-suppression-du-son-au-demarrage-du-mac Glory to the commentcamarche forum. I no longer have that horrible noise that annoyed me, hehe.

fudji74 · Answer

Great !!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Jem

mk22 · Answer

Just lower the volume before turning it off.

Kasimodo · Answer

LOL mk22... it's nice to see that you read the discussion!

conventionnel · Answer

It's so simple and clear that it knocks you off your feet thank you comrade for the first choice info

Ant · Answer

Beware, startupsound doesn't work the first time it's installed; but from the second boot onwards, it works very well and the sound is muted. On an iMac 20'', 2.4GHz, OS X 10.5.8

manivelle · Answer

I found the solution for my Mac Pro. Since I use the "Line Out" (with a mini jack cable from the output at the back of the machine) for listening, in System Preferences => Sound => Output, I have muted the internal speakers since I do not use the built-in speakers.
But I do not know if other Macs (MacBook and iMac) have more than one output.

PatAuGruyere · Answer

Having a simple shortcut on the desktop for a silent reboot would be great!
Easy as pie with Automator!

1. Open Automator
2. Select Application as the process model
3. Press enter or click on choose
4. In the search box (text box with the little magnifying glass), type "volume" (without quotes)
5. In the list below the search box, double-click on "Set Computer Volume"
6. In the right panel, the "Set Computer Volume" panel appears, set the desired volume

That's it for the volume
Now we just need to restart, unfortunately, it's not that simple, so let's code

7. In the search box, type "apple"
8. Double-click on "Run AppleScript"
9. In the right panel, a new "Run AppleScript" panel appears, replace: (* Your script goes here *)
with: tell application "Finder" to restart

There you go, it's done

You have a nice application that lowers the volume and restarts the Mac
Now just save it and create the shortcut on the desktop

10. Save it with a great name, like: "Silent Restart"
11. Create an alias on the desktop

And there you have it, in just a few minutes you have a button on the desktop for a silent reboot.

Anonymous user · Answer

HELLO,  PatAuGruyere Oct 16, 2011 at 04:33 Having a simple shortcut on the desktop for a silent reboot would be great! Easy as pie with Automator!  This "Tip" only works on Macs that retain volume settings after restarting. Does not work on most recent Macs.  Have a nice day

heninois · Answer

Hello,I have something better, with the very small software Psst the problem is solvedhttp://www.logicielmac.com/logiciel/psst-57.htmlHave a nice day

majikrikou · Answer

Hello   It's easier to plug a headset into the audio output or simply a jack plug!

Anonymous user · Answer

majikrikou - March 30, 2012 at 10:26 hello easier to plug a headset into the audio output or just a jack plug!

It's been years since this "simple" thing hasn't worked on most Macs :)

And this simple thing was indicated just below :) back when it worked on my 2005 Mac... !

'-_- · Answer

http://www.logicielmac.com/logiciel/startupsound-271.html  Here it is!

'-_- · Answer

That's not a solution!  ??? See my comment below ;) ???

Crocus · Answer

The sound effect when turning on the iMac is impossible to eliminate according to Apple's technical services. This gong sound is produced by the motherboard to indicate that everything is working properly.

How to disable startup sound on iMac

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