I’ve noticed that since installing Server 2008, audible beeps come through to my local computer. I’ve tried tweaking the remote desktop client settings, to no avail. I know this is a common issue – here’s the fix.
- On the server, connected either locally or remotely:
- Open a command-prompt. Hit the windows-key and type ‘cmd’.
- Enter sc config beep start= disabled – Note that the space between ’start=’ and ‘disabled’ is necessary, and the command will not work if you omit it!
- Reboot the server.
Edit: This seems to work on desktops but not servers! Do not attempt the following instructions if you’re uncomfortable, make sure you backup your registry before doing them. I cannot be held responsible for damages, etc etc, yadda-yadda. You all know the drill. Onward!
If you try the above on a server and it doesn’t work:
Run regedit on the server. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlTerminalServer. Create a DWORD called DisableBeep. Set the (HEX) value to 1. Close Regedit.
Fire up services.msc, find the terminal services service. Restart it and any associated services. You will be immediately disconnected. Reconnect. The beep has stopped. Change that value back to a 0 to re-enable the beep.
Originally posted 2009-07-01 09:00:00.
#1 by Vince on July 14, 2009 - 7:20 am
It worked! I had to follow the full instructions under “If you try the above on a server and it doesn’t work”.
Thank you for putting an end to this beeping annoyance. Now to find out how to disable User Account Control… the most annoying and useless thing MS has done since Clippy.
#2 by Harv on July 14, 2009 - 5:53 pm
Hi Vince,
there are a few ways to do that but, the simplest is as follows;
Note, I do not recommend this for most users! Don’t do this unless you’re sure of what you’re doing!
1) Go to the start menu, and select Run.
2) Enter ‘msconfig’
3) There should be a ‘tools’ tab, select it.
4) There will be an option there to ‘Disable UAP’
5) When you select this option, you will see the relevant command. Press the Launch button in order to have your system execute that command.
6) Reboot
7) Bask in the glory that is (a lack of) UAC.
#3 by Jonas on July 20, 2009 - 6:53 am
Nice! The second solution worked for me too!
#4 by Richard on December 8, 2009 - 7:24 am
Nice one – i was listening to some music on headphones locally while logged into my webserver. I exited something and got the fright of my life when a full volume beep fried my brain.
Thanks for the fix!
#5 by foxup on August 12, 2010 - 5:45 pm
Thanks mate !
Perfect fix for this brain-damageing ‘warning’ sound.