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Stop those annoying start-up sounds with $1 or less
I just read this post from Lifehacker, about how to easily silence your computer, with a jack from an old pair of headphones or earbuds. I've said before that I don't like simply mentioning someone else's post, but I have to make an exception here, as I have found this incredibly useful to me. As a student who is often on his laptop, I can see this applying to many readers.
Too many times I have had the annoying windows start-up sound disturb others around me. Most recently, I was watching a movie, which requires having my volume at 70 - 80%. But when I accidentally shut down my computer, I forgot to return the volume to regular levels. The next day, when I opened my laptop in the library, the start-up sound blared at full volume. Here is the technique:
"When my last pair of earphones died, I cut the cord and tossed the dead earphones, but kept the part that plugs in. I just plug it into my laptop's headphone jack before I turn on my machine when I'm at the library, and don't have to worry about having set the 'mute' button or whatever." If you don't have any extra headphones, you can just run over to the dollar store and pick up a crappy pair for $1. I think this simple lifehack is pure genius. The only problem now is trying to keep track of the plug…
Ret said
am March 28 2007 @ 4:01 pm
ok. but why don’t you adjust your windows settings? there is a sound schema for this…
Erik Mallinson said
am March 28 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Why not just turn of the startup sounds in the control panel? - assuming you mean a Windows PC.
Erik Mallinson said
am March 28 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Sorry, of = off.
JD said
am March 28 2007 @ 6:48 pm
I did this same thing a while back. I rarely use a microphone with my laptop so I just move it over to the microphone jack. Not as easy to lose now.
Geoff R. said
am March 30 2007 @ 10:03 pm
Erik,
I considered doing that, but it is not just the start-up sound that I want to mute. Any sound such as system beeps, program noises, or running apps should also be muted. That is why this cheap solution is good.
Running Hack: Mod your iPod Buds for a More Secure Fit » GearFire said
am May 7 2007 @ 7:04 am
[…] horrific, so you might as well throw them out. Before you do so, be sure to keep the jack part as a laptop silencer. Depending on what type of set you got, you may need to slash the bottom of the rubber thing with a […]
My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » Running Hack: Mod your iPod Buds for a More Secure Fit [Gearfire Productivity] said
am October 8 2007 @ 12:19 am
[…] horrific, so you might as well throw them out. Before you do so, be sure to keep the jack part as a laptop silencer. Depending on what type of set you got, you may need to slash the bottom of the rubber thing with a […]