# Got AIM 5.9, can't hear the IM alerts
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-aim-5-9-cant-hear-the-im-alerts/267278
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 3, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-aim-5-9-cant-hear-the-im-alerts/267278 "2004-10-03T03:00:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-aim-5-9-cant-hear-the-im-alerts/267278/1 "2004-10-03T03:00:11Z")
I upgraded to the newest version of AIM and for some reason, now I don’t hear the ding when someone sends me a message. I’ve gone into Preferences several times to check that they’re turned on and as far as I can tell, they are. I even noticed a feature was checked that says “Allow for volume reduction of IM sounds” so I unchecked it and clicked Apply. I’m still not hearing my IM sounds! And yes, I know the speakers are working because I’m having no trouble hearing music through Winamp.
It could be something totally obvious that I’m missing, but I’m stumped. Help, please?
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-aim-5-9-cant-hear-the-im-alerts/267278/2 "2004-10-03T03:26:50Z")
On the edit your sounds page make sure “only play a sound when first message is recieved” is not checked.
I think it is by default.
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### Author:  [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2004, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-aim-5-9-cant-hear-the-im-alerts/267278/3 "2004-10-03T03:42:33Z")
AHA! Thanks!!