We have a FA970 answering machine that only gives 3 rings and then goes to record

you can alter the number of rings before it goes to answer machine
set the answer machine up properly and when a message is recorded , the alert light will flask every so many seconds along with a short beep
set it as per the user manual and if you don't have a manual then down load it from the manufacturers site on the net

Set the answer delay
1. Select Menu, Answer Phone is displayed, press
Select.
2. Press (Calls) until Settings is displayed, press Select.
3.Press (Calls) to highlight either Ans. & record or
Answer only and press Select.
4. Answer delay is displayed, use < or > to display
the number of rings you want (0-9 rings or Time
saver) and select Save. Saved will be displayed.
Set the maximum message length
You can set the maximum length that an answer
machine message can be: 1 minute, 2 minutes or 3
minutes. The default setting is 3 minutes.
1. Select Menu, Answer Phone is displayed, press
Select.
2. Press (Calls) until Settings is displayed, press Select.
3. Press (Calls) to highlight Ans. & record and press
Select.
4. Press (Calls) to display Max. msg length and then
press < or > to select the length you want and
select Save. Saved will be displayed.

Billy from Hayward

It is in the owners handbook page 45 get it while the link last
http://www.shop.bt.com/content/uni2/documentation/8h3h/bt6500_user_guide.pdf

You would set it for 4 rings or more. That way you will have more than 3 rings.

Maybe the answering machine is set to pick up at say"5 rings" and the voice mail is set to pickup at "4 rings" . Change the voicemail setting to a higher setting than the answering machine. That may be the problem.

check this manual

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/media/i3d/01/A/man-migrate/MANUAL000023229.pdf

Step 1: Determine the make and model of your phone/answering machine.
Step 2: Repost your question, being sure to include the information from Step 1.

This happens when the number of rings to answer of the provider voicemail is less than the number of rings to answer that the answer machine is set for. For example: if your provider voicemail rings to answer is set for 3 rings and the answer machine is set for 4 rings then the voicemail answers before the 4th ring, therefore the answer machine will never get a message. I would call the service provider's customer service number and request they increase the rings to answer above the number of rings to answer that the answer machine is set for. If you don't want voicemail to answer any calls(when your line is busy or when the answer machine is turned off) ask your service provider to disable voicemail.

Had a problem on wireless home phone with answering machine not taking messages when had the answering machine set to 12 rings before answering. Found the sim card (my wireless system) auto response would answer first. Fixed it by reducing time to 6 rings and answering machine now comes on first.

how can I set the proper day and time on my answering machine same as above Audiovox AXT847

Here is a link to a similar model: http://www.swbfreedomphone.com/ib/ibansw/fa970.pdf Here is what it says: TONE REMOTE OPERATION Remote Security Code To access answering functions from an outside line, you will need to enter the three digit security code located on the bottom of your unit. Write this number on the Remote Access Card, which you can keep in your wallet. Remote Turn On If you forget to turn on your unit: 1. Call your unit from a touch-tone phone. 2. Wait 12-14 rings until the machine answers. 3. The FA970 will automatically answer by playing your greeting. You may hang up the phone, and subsequent calls will be answered. Remote Message Playback 1. Call your unit from a touch-tone telephone. 2. After your FA970 answers, it plays the outgoing greeting and beeps once. Dial your three digit security code within 20 seconds after the beep, pressing and holding each digit for 1-2 seconds. Allow a 2 seconds interval between each digit. 3. Your FA970 will sound one beep to indicate the code was entered correctly. (If there are no beeps, enter your code again.) 4. You can press the following buttons on your keypad: Option Press Playback Mailbox 1 Messages (1) Playback Mailbox 2 Messages (2) Record Memo Message (3) Record New Greeting (8) Turn Off Answer Mode (9) If you press ?1? or ?2? (to playback messages), you have the follow options: Option Press Erase Current Message (0) Repeat Current Message (4) Repeat Previous Message (4) repeatedly Stop Message Playback (5) Skip to Next Message (6) To SAVE messages, hang up the telephone. Note: Your FA970 will sound a series of beeps if there are no messages. Remote Record New Greeting If you press 8 (to record new greeting): 1. When you hear a beep, begin recording your new greeting (up to 30 seconds). 2. When you have finished recording your new greeting, press (5). The unit will beep, and the new greeting will playback to you. 3. Hang up the telephone. Remote Record Memo If you press 3 (to record memo message): 1. Within three seconds of pressing ?3?, press ?1? or ?2? to select Mailbox 1 or Mailbox 2. Otherwise, the memo will be recorded in Mailbox 1. 2. When you hear a beep, begin recording your memo (up to 60 seconds). 3. When you have finished recording your memo message, press (5). 4. The corresponding Mailbox message count will be increased by one. To Retrieve Messages when Recording Memory is Full 1. When the message capacity is full, the unit will sound 3 beeps after answering the phone. 2. Within 20 seconds after the 3 beeps, dial your 3 digit security code. 3. Your FA970 will sound one beep to indicate the code was entered correctly.