Imac alerts constantly beeping, but why?

June 18, 2004 9:57 AM

Imac alert question for a newbie. I've received and am enjoying an older Imac (G3, 400) and am getting alerts. How in the hell do I tell what I'm being alerted to? The beeping is getting quite irritating.
posted by damnitkage to computers & internet (8 comments total)

when you find the alert it's whatever application that is frontmost. In OSX it's the name of the app in the upper left (very visible in the menubar) in OS9 it's the one under the menu on the rightmost of the screen with the checkmark.

Sidenote - if it's happing on the hour, half, quarter, etc. - its the chime from your date and time control panel.
posted by filmgeek at 10:16 AM on June 18, 2004

We probably need more info to determine the source. Does it always happen at the same time, or when you're doing the same task, or in the same application(s)? Also, what version of the OS are you running?

Typically the Mac will throw an error message as well. However, it does have the ability to chime on the 1/2 or full hour. There are also some sounds that go along with dragging files or using other interface widgets (which I find incredibly annoying and turn off immediately).
posted by willnot at 10:16 AM on June 18, 2004

It's happening every two or three minutes. I'm running os 9.1, but upgrading on Monday to 10.3. I would like to be ble to semi figure it out, but as a new convert, my Mac experience is somewhat limited but growing exponentially.

As to task, it doesn't really matter. I thought it might be dreamweaver, closed that, photoshop, closed that. Still getting alerts. Only have Itunes, explorer and email open. Still getting alert sound. Three beeps, a rest and one beep. 

Thanks in advance for the help.
posted by damnitkage at 10:20 AM on June 18, 2004

My e-mail client beeps when it checks mail... how often does your e-mail client check?

Explorer also used to check for site updates and ring a bell... you may want to look at your bookmarks and see if any are marked for checking.
posted by silusGROK at 10:29 AM on June 18, 2004

And if you also close iTunes, Explorer and E-mail do you still get the alert sounds?

In particular, does your E-mail program have an integrated calendar, and are there any alarms set?

It's probably not chiming the time with that frequency, but you can try going to the AppleMenu (top right corner of screen) > Control Pannels > Date & Time > Clock Options > (make sure it's not set to chime on the hour or any sub-part of an hour). That's the path for 9.2. I don't remember 9.1, but it's likely to be similar.

Look in System Folder > Startup Items

Do you see anythin in there that looks like it might be an alarm program of some sort?

If all else fails, you can go to Apple Menu > Control Pannels > Sound and mute the system. Probably makes listening to iTunes a hassle, but it's an option.
posted by willnot at 10:34 AM on June 18, 2004

AppleMenu is top left corner of screen -- sorry.
posted by willnot at 10:35 AM on June 18, 2004

Email!!!!

That was the culprit. Thanks so much for the advice. Soon, god willing we're going all Mac.
posted by damnitkage at 10:51 AM on June 18, 2004

My first Mac was that same model that I got about a year ago. Don't forget to upgrade the firmware before you install Panther. I put a bigger hard drive and more RAM in it and it runs like a champ. I leave it on 24/7. The only time I need to reboot is after applying security updates that need a reboot. No kernel panics or lockups [Office X sometimes crashes but I blame Microsoft :)]

I use it mostly these days to play iTunes and as a file/print server for my Powerbook.
posted by birdherder at 2:16 PM on June 18, 2004