How to shut off computer's startup beep?

Factual Questions
1

Is there any way to shut off the startup beep from the computer? Am using Win98SE. I went into Control Panel’s Sounds, but don’t see anything there, nor do I in the BIOS setup program.

Any solution will be appreciated.

2

Assuming you mean the beep from the case itself (i.e. not through any attached speaker) that comes before Windows starts up:

Check the BIOS, and see if it can be turned off. Usually it can’t.

Then, open the case. Look for speaker mounted to the case (usually near the front). There will be a thin, paired speaker wire coming from it, often red/black. Follow this to the motherboard, where it will be connected by a simple plug connector. Disconnect it; the plugs differ in style, but it should be obvious. Probably you just pull – it should come off very easily. Remember the position and orientation of the plug in case you want to/need to put it back.

This won’t affect sound from the headphone/speaker jacks on the computer itself (which will come from your sound card or onboard sound chips once Windows has started). It’s pretty much useless for anything other than the startup beeps any more, so it’s safe to do. If you note any weird behavior (like ports on the PC not working), you disconnected the wrong thing, just plug it back in again.

3

Hmm, perhaps this is obvious, but SHUT OFF the computer before working inside it…

4

Thanks, TimeWinder, makes sense. Yeah, I’ll turn it off first. :smiley:

5

But why would you want to do such a thing?

Those beeps are important diagnostic tools in case of system problems.

Would you disconnect the temperature or oil pressure gauge on your car?

6

Depends. Do they beep?

7

If you wanted to do that, I would say your best bet is to go in and physically disconnect the wires. Then leave a big bright note on your case saying “PC SPEAKER DISCONNECTED!” See, that beep is the POST telling you that eveything (so far) is working. Different amounts and lenthgs of beeps mean different problems. If you ever had a problem where your computer didn’t start up, whomever was fixing it would have a hell of a time diagnosing it if they didn’t realize the speaker was unhooked.

8

On modern PCs the speaker is typically also used in the running state to indicate an overheat situation. If a fan on your board failed or if dust built up to insulating levels, the speaker would indicate the fact that heat was exceeding safe levels by beeping once a second or so.