# How do I turn of modem sound running AOL? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369 "2003-08-24T19:22:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![with\_withholding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/58956e/32.png) [@with\_withholding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/with_withholding)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369/1 "2003-08-24T19:22:01Z")
I now it’s been shown here before (I ran into it the last time I upgraded AOL also) but you can’t search on “AOL” (too short). There’s a setting somewhere, but it’s well hidden. AOL ignores Control Panel settings for Internet Options and Modem options and Connection options and DialUp options. And their “Expert options list” has no mention of modems. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369/2 "2003-08-24T19:28:10Z")
Assuming Windows XP: Control Panel \> Phone and Modem Settings \> Modems tab. Highlight your modem and click the Properties button, then click the Modem tab. Slide the Modem Speaker Volume control to Off. Click OK. Other Windows OSes will be similar. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369/3 "2003-08-24T19:30:08Z")
Oh never mind. I failed to notice the bit where you said AOL likes to ignore these settings. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369/4 "2003-08-24T19:34:23Z")
Assuming AOL 8.0: Click Setup \> Expert Setup \> Devices tab. Click your modem to highlight it, and then click Edit. Pull the Speaker Volume dropdown list and click Off. Click OK. ---
**Author:** ![Hubb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4af34b/32.png) [@Hubb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hubb)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369/5 "2003-08-24T19:34:44Z")
From one of AOL’s _many, many_ “most asked” lists You can adjust the screeching sound that your modem makes when it connects. To change your modem sounds On the Sign On screen, click Sign On Options. In the America Online Setup window, click Expert Setup. In the AOL Expert Setup window, highlight the location that uses dial-up modem and click Edit. In the Edit Location window, click Edit Devices, and click Next. In the Edit Devices window, select your modem and click Next. In the Edit Device window, choose the volume you want for your modem from the Speaker Volume field and click Next. In the Summary window, click Sign On to AOL Now to sign on immediately, or click Make More Changes to make additional changes. ---
**Author:** ![Aalborg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Aalborg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aalborg)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-of-modem-sound-running-aol/197369/6 "2003-08-24T19:46:59Z")
One more step: Iterate that whole list for _every_ connection name you have, Home, Work, Summer House, State Pen, etc. They don’t make it easy! And why can’t they figure that this is one of your dozen settings to migrate when you upgrade versions? Seems they forget a couple more, too, randomly (like whether to shrink windows or have IM on the toolbar) just to make you flustered a little every day for a week.