Dear Macworld Quick Tips,

Here is my Quick Tips contribution:

As pointed out in the August issue, it can sometimes be important to completely silence a PowerBook, such as when working late at night, or using the computer in a classroom. In order to silence the startup sound, and the clicks and pops that occur even when the volume is set to zero, I insert a one-eighth inch flat head nylon screw into the sound output port. The screw makes the computer think that headphones are attached, and silences the internal speaker. I cut the screw to 5/8 inches in length, and tie a string to the head so that it is easy to remove. When not in use, the screw can be stored in the sound input port. The flat head allows the I/O door to close. I would emphasize that you must use nylon, and not metal, so that you do not create any electrical short circuits. This solution is less bulky than headphones, and quieter, because in some environments the headphones will still emit enough sound to bother people.

Here is a low-res photo of the silencing screw inserted in a PowerBook 145.

Three high-res photos are available which show:

• The silencing screw inserted in a PowerBook 145
• The silencing screw outside a PowerBook 145
• A close-up of the silencing screw in a PowerBook 145

                                  Jeffrey Lomicka