DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Windows Startup and Shutdown sounds do not play!

6 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/windows-startup-and-shutdown-sounds-do-not-play.84510/

krazzy
krazzy Original post #1
Apr 5, 2008 at 8:14 PM
This always happens after a few days of reinstalling Windows. Initially both the sounds play while starting up or shutting down. But later they stop playing. All the other sounds play perfectly. Recently I've changed the default Windows XP sounds to the Vista sounds given in Vishal Gupta's excellent tutorial to make XP look like Vista. But still the startup and Shutdown sounds fail to play however others play perfectly. What has gone wrong?
T
Apr 6, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Try setting windows default sound scheme in sound and audio properties
krazzy
krazzy #3
Apr 6, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Tried that. All the sounds play except the Startup and Shutdown ones. Dunno whats wrong.
ravi_9793
Apr 6, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Those startup and shutdown file sound file may have corrupt.

check those files in c:\windows\media folder.
Vishal Gupta
Apr 6, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Its a known bug in Windows XP. It happens when you disable default system beep using some tweaking software or manually.

Open regedit and goto:

Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound
In right-side pane, change value of "Beep" to "yes". Restart your system and you should be able to listen those sounds again.
krazzy
krazzy #6
Apr 6, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Ahhh... Finally. Yes I've disabled those annoying beeps through the registry. They sound horrible and always startle me when I've got the earphones on. Guess I'll have to turn them ON though. Is there anyway to replace that annoying sound with something less annoying? BTW thanks for helping VG. :)