11.04: Remove startup sound

Going to System -> Startup programs and unchecking GNOME Login Sound is one part of it.

You may also do this:

sudo -u gdm gconftool-2 –type=bool –set /desktop/gnome/sound/event_sounds false

Source: 
http://blog.justin.kelly.org.au/how-to-disable-the-gdm-pre-login-music-in-ubu/

This doesn't either remove the drums.

As the sound is in the GDM login manager, we need to attack that to fix this.

(This tip is from http://tacticalvim.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/disable-gdm-ready-sound-in-ubuntu-9-10-karmic/)

Alternative A - fix it through an editor:

1. Press ALT+F2, type this into Run dialog: gksu gconf-editor
2. navigate to: /apps/gdm/simple-greeter/settings-manager-plugins/sound/
3. untick the active key in order to disable the login ready drums sound
3. restart completely (easy way) or restart just GDM (hard way)

Alternative B - rename the sound file:

- open a terminal and type:

cd /usr/share/sounds/ubuntu/stereo/
sudo mv system-ready.ogg system-ready.ogg-OFF