Intermittent "Cash Register" Bell Sound on Macbook Pro

I am hearing an intermittent bell sound on my Mid-2010 Macbook Pro. It sounds like the cash register sound that Quicken makes when you enter a transaction. I just reloaded a new copy of Lion on a new HD, but still hear the sound. I ran a virus scan which claimed the computer is free of malware. Has anyone had this problem? I suspect its a hard to detect virus or software that is running in the background eating up resources.

There aren't any viruses for the Mac.

And there's no malware that makes a bell sound. Malware doesn't tend to want to call attention to itself.

If it's a single bell, you're likely hearing the sound of incoming e-mail. This would be caused by you not actually quitting your e-mail program but just closing it instead (a common switcher mistake).

You can hit command-tab to see what programs are actually open -- or just look down at the dock. The ones with "lights" underneath them are open.

I appreciate the reply.

Any computer can get a virus. While the MAC unix based OS kernel is more secure than the Windows OS, MACs can get viruses. In fact, Apple just released a patch this week to secure a vulnerable part of Java that made MAC users susceptible to the Flashback Trojan virus. Mac users have been lucky since nearly all the viruses are target toward Windows computers.

Apple releases Java patch to thwart virus

I do agree that Malware probably does not want to announce its there by a ringing bell. Mail and all programs are shut down and I stopped all processes possible in Activity Monitor. Still hear the bell. I am sure its a background process of some short running.

After scanning the internet I only found an old post of a iMac G5 user with the same problem, but no one offered a solution. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/835780?start=0&tstart=0

While I appreciate the essay, I have been a Mac user for over a decade since the G4s. This problem is puzzling...

Anyone else have any ideas? Its annoying.

I hear a cash register when I play the only Facebook game I mess with called Cafe World but I am sure that is not your issue.

You say this is a brand new install of OSX? Have you installed any applications on it and if so which ones?

Unfortunately...too many. I loaded the new drive with a time machine backup from my prior main HD. I do video editing work and at times have downloaded free video converters. I am wondering if something I downloaded in the past few years is causing this issue.

That was a question I forgot to ask you but you answered it anyway!

Since you restored from a Time Machine backup you probably restored the sound! I wish I could help more but not sure what app is doing it. If you open Activity Monitor in Utilities, can you do a screen shot and show us what is running?

Command+Shift+4 and select the area of the screen you want to capture then let go.

It sure sounds like some background app is making noise alerts. Unfortunately, it could be any app since most nowadays seem to have some sort of auditory notification. I'd start by looking through AM as suggested by dtravis7 to see if anything looks odd (if you don't know, show us the list by saving it (File > Save). Make sure "All Processes" is selected first.

Clearfocus said:

Any computer can get a virus.

Click to expand...

No sir or ma'am you are incorrect.

MACs can get viruses.

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No sir or ma'am you are incorrect. You are also confused about the Mac: the name is short for "Macintosh" it is not an acronym.

In fact, Apple just released a patch this week to secure a vulnerable part of Java that made MAC users susceptible to the Flashback Trojan virus.

Click to expand...

This is precisely where you are incorrect. The Flashback trojan is a trojan. It is not a virus. Words mean things, and virus has a completely different definition than "trojan" or for that matter "malware." I suggest you educate yourself on the distinctions.

Mac users have been lucky since nearly all the viruses are target toward Windows computers.

Click to expand...

Luck has had absolutely nothing to do it.

Apple releases Java patch to thwart virus

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I see the source of your misinformation and don't hold it against you. USA Today is in error calling it a virus. They are headline writers and bad journalists who didn't do their research or are just "shorthanding" inaccurately. It happens all the time but doesn't change the reality one whit.

Still hear the bell. I am sure its a background process of some short running.

Click to expand...

Is it possible you have the clock set to chime the hour or some other interval?

How did you manage to stop this annoying sound... ?

I just cant find the solution. Here is my process list:

Active Memory: 1.81 GB
Free Memory: 13.03 GB
Wired Memory: 851.6 MB
Used Memory: 2.97 GB
Inactive Memory: 329.8 MB
Total VM: 277.03 GB
Number of processes: 115

PID Process Name User CPU Real Mem Virtual Mem
0 kernel_task root 1.5 670.4 MB 9.79 GB
1 launchd root 0.0 2.5 MB 2.39 GB
11 UserEventAgent root 0.0 4.5 MB 2.41 GB
12 kextd root 0.4 6.3 MB 2.39 GB
13 taskgated root 0.0 4.7 MB 2.40 GB
14 notifyd root 0.0 1.9 MB 2.40 GB
15 securityd root 0.0 8.7 MB 2.41 GB
16 diskarbitrationd root 0.0 2.1 MB 2.39 GB
17 configd root 0.0 4.7 MB 2.39 GB
18 powerd root 0.0 2.4 MB 2.41 GB
19 syslogd root 0.0 1.4 MB 2.40 GB
20 distnoted root 0.0 2.4 MB 2.41 GB
21 cfprefsd root 0.0 1.9 MB 2.39 GB
22 opendirectoryd root 0.0 12.2 MB 2.43 GB
32 coreservicesd root 0.1 30.8 MB 2.44 GB
41 fseventsd root 0.0 4.1 MB 2.42 GB
42 blued root 0.0 5.3 MB 2.41 GB
44 ntpd root 0.0 1.5 MB 2.36 GB
46 warmd nobody 0.0 6.8 MB 2.39 GB
47 usbmuxd _usbmuxd 0.0 2.8 MB 2.40 GB
49 SystemStarter root 0.0 1.2 MB 2.38 GB
51 stackshot root 0.0 1.4 MB 2.38 GB
52 SleepServicesD root 0.0 1.7 MB 2.37 GB
54 revisiond root 0.0 3.3 MB 2.41 GB
55 ptmd root 0.0 1.6 MB 2.35 GB
59 netbiosd _netbios 0.0 2.6 MB 2.39 GB
60 mds root 0.1 93.1 MB 3.38 GB
61 mDNSResponder _mdnsrespo 0.0 3.6 MB 2.40 GB
64 loginwindow leoelias 0.1 21.0 MB 2.48 GB
65 locationd _locationd 0.0 7.7 MB 2.41 GB
66 KernelEventAgent root 0.0 1.1 MB 2.35 GB
68 hidd root 0.6 1.9 MB 2.39 GB
70 dynamic_pager root 0.0 808 KB 2.32 GB
72 dpd root 0.0 1.9 MB 2.37 GB
73 appleeventsd _eppc 0.0 3.0 MB 2.41 GB
78 autofsd root 0.0 2.0 MB 2.38 GB
79 apsd root 0.0 8.8 MB 2.41 GB
80 aosnotifyd root 0.0 8.5 MB 2.41 GB
81 qmasterd root 0.0 7.5 MB 650.4 MB
101 WindowServer _windowser 2.4 69.3 MB 2.97 GB
102 networkd _networkd 0.0 1.5 MB 2.39 GB
203 CVMServer root 0.0 1.8 MB 2.44 GB
216 coreaudiod _coreaudio 0.0 12.3 MB 2.42 GB
217 logind root 0.0 2.0 MB 2.38 GB
231 ocspd root 0.0 7.7 MB 2.41 GB
236 launchd leoelias 0.0 1.6 MB 2.39 GB
239 UserEventAgent leoelias 0.0 9.6 MB 2.42 GB
240 distnoted leoelias 0.1 4.0 MB 2.41 GB
242 cfprefsd leoelias 0.0 2.9 MB 2.39 GB
247 Safari leoelias 0.7 238.1 MB 3.82 GB
248 pboard leoelias 0.0 996 KB 2.32 GB
251 Adium leoelias 0.0 32.1 MB 2.50 GB
252 Terminal leoelias 0.0 30.7 MB 2.48 GB
253 Skype leoelias 0.0 28 KB 601.6 MB
255 talagent leoelias 0.0 19.1 MB 2.47 GB
256 Dock leoelias 0.1 60.2 MB 2.51 GB
257 SystemUIServer leoelias 0.0 19.0 MB 2.50 GB
258 Finder leoelias 0.0 75.6 MB 2.63 GB
261 fontd leoelias 0.0 5.8 MB 2.44 GB
262 NetworkBrowserAgent leoelias 0.0 3.0 MB 2.39 GB
263 launchd _windowser 0.0 916 KB 2.38 GB
264 filecoordinationd root 0.0 2.7 MB 2.39 GB
267 cfprefsd _windowser 0.0 1.1 MB 2.36 GB
272 usernoted leoelias 0.0 4.4 MB 2.41 GB
273 Safari Web Content leoelias 0.4 527.8 MB 4.14 GB
276 pbs leoelias 0.0 8.7 MB 2.40 GB
279 tccd leoelias 0.0 4.5 MB 2.41 GB
280 cookied leoelias 0.0 2.6 MB 2.39 GB
282 xpcd leoelias 0.0 9.3 MB 2.41 GB
283 Notification Center leoelias 0.0 18.5 MB 2.46 GB
284 login root 0.0 4.7 MB 2.37 GB
286 com.apple.dock.extra leoelias 0.0 17.4 MB 2.44 GB
287 bash leoelias 0.0 1.2 MB 2.32 GB
288 com.apple.iCloudHelper leoelias 0.0 8.5 MB 2.41 GB
289 xpcd _coreaudio 0.0 4.8 MB 2.38 GB
292 com.apple.audio.SandboxHe _coreaudio 0.0 4.6 MB 2.38 GB
293 accountsd leoelias 0.0 5.6 MB 2.41 GB
296 imagent leoelias 0.0 7.8 MB 2.41 GB
300 CalendarAgent leoelias 0.0 16.5 MB 2.42 GB
302 Photo Stream leoelias 0.0 18.1 MB 2.44 GB
309 helpd leoelias 0.0 2.3 MB 2.40 GB
311 AppleIDAuthAgent leoelias 0.0 2.2 MB 2.37 GB
315 firefaceAgent leoelias 0.0 3.2 MB 688.3 MB
317 iTunes Helper leoelias 0.0 4.0 MB 2.41 GB
318 Dropbox leoelias 1.5 67.3 MB 938.9 MB
322 lsboxd leoelias 0.0 3.2 MB 2.41 GB
336 dbfseventsd root 0.0 368 KB 582.7 MB
337 dbfseventsd root 0.0 968 KB 590.7 MB
338 dbfseventsd leoelias 0.0 172 KB 582.7 MB
339 Image Capture Extension leoelias 0.0 9.6 MB 2.43 GB
347 launchd _spotlight 0.0 924 KB 2.38 GB
351 distnoted _spotlight 0.0 1.7 MB 2.41 GB
352 cfprefsd _spotlight 0.0 1.3 MB 2.39 GB
364 syspolicyd root 0.0 2.6 MB 2.35 GB
396 ubd leoelias 0.0 15.2 MB 2.42 GB
397 QTKitServer-(247) Safari leoelias 0.0 10.2 MB 737.6 MB
398 com.apple.audio.SandboxHe leoelias 0.0 4.4 MB 2.36 GB
399 com.apple.audio.Component leoelias 0.0 5.0 MB 2.37 GB
420 sudo root 0.0 824 KB 2.32 GB
421 su root 0.0 4.5 MB 2.35 GB
424 sh root 0.0 1.1 MB 2.32 GB
436 AppleSpell.service leoelias 0.0 9.3 MB 2.41 GB
438 App Store leoelias 0.0 190.9 MB 3.70 GB
440 storeagent leoelias 0.0 11.7 MB 2.42 GB
441 suhelperd root 0.0 5.4 MB 2.40 GB
444 installd root 0.0 2.6 MB 2.39 GB
451 maspushagent leoelias 0.0 5.6 MB 2.39 GB
464 com.apple.NotesMigratorSe leoelias 0.0 9.6 MB 2.39 GB
473 mdworker leoelias 0.2 20.6 MB 2.42 GB
474 ScopedBookmarkAgent leoelias 0.0 3.6 MB 2.38 GB
499 Flash Player (Safari Inte leoelias 0.0 44.2 MB 3.65 GB
514 syncdefaultsd leoelias 0.0 14.3 MB 2.41 GB
578 mdworker _spotlight 0.0 5.1 MB 2.38 GB
579 Activity Monitor leoelias 4.7 23.2 MB 2.50 GB
581 activitymonitord root 0.3 1.5 MB 2.33 GB

The journalists are just hoping for a Mac OS X virus ~ as there are none they just go ahead and fabricate. As stated probably came with the backup from TM.

I looked through your list and saw nothing obvious but might have missed something as some of your processes looked foreign to me.

Is this sound exactly like a Cash Register that goes Cha-Ching?

Also what Mac model you have and which version of OSX?

Do you run any $$$ software named Moneydance by chance?

dtravis7 said:

I looked through your list and saw nothing obvious but might have missed something as some of your processes looked foreign to me.

Is this sound exactly like a Cash Register that goes Cha-Ching?

Also what Mac model you have and which version of OSX?

Do you run any $$$ software named Moneydance by chance?

Click to expand...

Hi dtravis, thanks for trying to help.

The sound is mora like a "Ching".. without "Cha".

Mac Model: late 2009 iMac running 10.8.3 and never installed moneydance.

This "Ching" sound is so annoying... ive tried to check on system log and nothing. Just cant find it.

Sounds like it could very well be the default new message sound in Mail.

Open Mail - Preferences - General tab - New message sound - change it to something else - then change it back to 'New Message Sound'. Is that the sound?

bobtomay said:

Sounds like it could very well be the default new message sound in Mail.

Open Mail - Preferences - General tab - New message sound - change it to something else - then change it back to 'New Message Sound'. Is that the sound?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately not that one

I understand this is a really old thread but I stumbled across it after Googling for answers after what sounds like the same problem has driven me to the edge. It's such an annoying sound!

And luckily reading these posts inspired me to search and I found the answer:

I have a Gmail extension installed on Safari called 'Gmail Counter'. I believe the whole point is that it shows a little badge notification when I receive an e-mail, but it has never worked that way and for me basically acts as a button to link me to my inbox. So I forgot it was even installed.
Turns out it was THAT extension making the horrible 'bell' sound! Open up the extension settings and under the notifications menu is an 'Enable' checkbox I am now very happy to uncheck.

I've heard this kind of sound from time to time too. Haven't bothered to go searching, but I don't seem to hear it when I navigate away from Facebook. I've wondered whether FB chimes when someone resonds to one of my posts or otherwise creates a new notification that applies to me. Their help page talks about turning off notification sounds: https://www.facebook.com/help/302202129901479

samaterasu said:

I understand this is a really old thread but I stumbled across it after Googling for answers after what sounds like the same problem has driven me to the edge. It's such an annoying sound!

And luckily reading these posts inspired me to search and I found the answer:

I have a Gmail extension installed on Safari called 'Gmail Counter'. I believe the whole point is that it shows a little badge notification when I receive an e-mail, but it has never worked that way and for me basically acts as a button to link me to my inbox. So I forgot it was even installed.
Turns out it was THAT extension making the horrible 'bell' sound! Open up the extension settings and under the notifications menu is an 'Enable' checkbox I am now very happy to uncheck.

Click to expand...

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! I created an account on here just to say that. That's how much this horrible bell sound was driving me crazy. I disabled all kind of sounds from my system preferences and from all different apps and programs installed, and I STILL heard that stupid sound. I knew it had to be some sort of third party app because it not a sound available from apple. Finally I realized I heard it about a minute after I got a new email (though it seemed that just to throw me off it did it on times when there were no new emails. I think now it might be that I was signed into more than one account). I had the mailtab for gmail installed and still heard that sound even when it was off. Like you I totally forgot about gmail counter. I like having it, but without a way to disable that sound, it is now most definitely GONE.

Thanks again!

I know this thread is really old, but I just seached the cash register sound on my Mac and this came up.

My experience is different. I was using the text to speech command on an article I wanted to hear and went to the kitchen for something, but still had my airpods in. I heard a cash register sound and then the mail swoosh sound when I send email. Since I had sent no emails this morning I went to the computer and did a search for any activity today. What came up during that time were 3- .chrono-timeline documents and 1- /ABinfo.abcdi file. I could not open any of them of course, but that last file, I also could not copy. Any idea what these are?

In the last few hours I see different, 4 sets of these chrono-timeline document file at variable intervals, except the ?ABinfo.abcdi file, which are now 2 of, as of just now.

The chrono files start with systemSmall--, systemMedium-- and systemLarge-- variations, and are followed with lots of numbers and some letters.

I don't use google email and don't have Chrome on my computer. I'm using Safari & my Mac OS is 12.6.5.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Curious456 said:

I know this thread is really old, but I just seached the cash register sound on my Mac and this came up.

My experience is different. I was using the text to speech command on an article I wanted to hear and went to the kitchen for something, but still had my airpods in. I heard a cash register sound and then the mail swoosh sound when I send email. Since I had sent no emails this morning I went to the computer and did a search for any activity today. What came up during that time were 3- .chrono-timeline documents and 1- /ABinfo.abcdi file. I could not open any of them of course, but that last file, I also could not copy. Any idea what these are?

In the last few hours I see different, 4 sets of these chrono-timeline document file at variable intervals, except the ?ABinfo.abcdi file, which are now 2 of, as of just now.

The chrono files start with systemSmall--, systemMedium-- and systemLarge-- variations, and are followed with lots of numbers and some letters.

I don't use google email and don't have Chrome on my computer. I'm using Safari & my Mac OS is 12.6.5.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Hi and welcome, please can you give use some information on you machine. Also I suggest you start a new thread, as you point out this is quite old (10 years)

Curious456, a quick search online suggests these are files created by a project manager. Both Google Docs and Microsoft Word have versions and there is also a free extension called ".TIMELINE" See here; TIMELINE File - What is a .timeline file and how do I open it?