Chime (Macintosh)

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Chime is an old term used among Macintosh computer user circles to describe the single note or chord (depending on model type) played when a Macintosh computer is turned on. The sound indicates that diagnostic tests run immediately at start-up have found no hardware or fundamental software problems, and is accompanied by a Happy Mac icon on the screen.

Jim Reekes created the startup chime used on every Macintosh since 1991.^[1] Reekes said, "The startup sound was done in my home studio on a Korg Wavestation. It's a C Major chord, played with both hands stretched out as wide as possible (with 3rd at the top, if I recall)."

For models built prior to the introduction of the Power Mac in 1994, on failure of initial self-diagnostic tests a Sad Mac icon and error code are displayed, accompanied by unusual startup tones, referred to as the "Chimes of Death" or "Chords of Doom."