Performa 52xx/53xx/62xx/63xx: Continuous Sound on Startup

Symptom

During startup, the computer may emit a "squealing" sound, similar to a car horn sounding continuously. The sound will continue until a new sound is played or the volume is changed.

Solution

Apple is aware of this issue. It has been fixed in Mac OS 8.5. Power Macintosh users who have upgraded to Mac OS 8.5 should not experience this issue. For Mac OS 8.1 users who do not wish to upgrade to Mac OS 8.5, a workaround is available below.

Under Mac OS 8.1, the issue will occur under the following conditions:

• the computer is a Performa or Power Macintosh 52xx/53xx/62xx/63xx series computer.
• the computer is running Mac OS 8.1
• the system volume is set to an even numbered value (2, 4, or 6).

The workaround for this issue is to set the volume to an odd numbered setting (1, 3, 5, or 7). If the volume setting is 2, 4, or 6 you will get the continuous "squealing" sound on startup. Keep in mind that some applications will set the volume setting on their own, so it is possible that the sound could return unexpectedly. Using AppleScript, you can create a script which will automatically set the volume to an odd value. Placing the script in the Shutdown Items folder should prevent the issue from occurring.

Note: To reset the volume at shutdown, make sure the Extensions Manager has AppleScript enabled.

To reset the volume automatically at each shutdown, perform the following steps (you may wish to print these instructions to follow them closely):

1. Open the application Script Editor (located in the AppleScript folder in the Apple Extras folder on your hard disk).

2. Type the text listed below into the untitled window below the Record button (or Copy & Paste from here).
Note: Make sure you are using 1, 3, 5, or 7 for the volume level. Do not use an even number.
tell application "Finder"
set volume "3"
end tell

3. From the File menu, select Save As Run-Only...

4. Change the popup menu from Compiled Script to Application.

5. Put an 'x' in the box entitled Never Show Startup Screen.

6. Type in a name for the file such as, "Set Volume to 3"

7. You want to save the application in a VERY specific location. In the Save dialog box you are still in, navigate to the following path:
<your hard disk>
System Folder
Shutdown Items

8. Click the Save button, so that the file is saved into the Shutdown Items folder in your active System Folder.

9. From the File menu, select Quit. Click Don't Save at the prompt.
(You've already saved the file).

Because the Shutdown Items folder in your System Folder now contains this simple AppleScript application, the volume level will be reset every time you shut down your computer normally. This will eliminate the startup squeal issue present on specific computers with Mac OS 8.1 installed.

For specific reasons, you may want the volume to be at a specific level after startup. To accomplish this, modify the script above with your desired volume level ("7" for example), and save the file in the Startup Items folder instead. At every startup, the sound will be reset to your desired level.