Need help to retrieve messages from outside

You can download the manual at
http://www.home-electronics.net/ge/pc/IB/29897GE1_IB.pdf

if the messages are erased it cannot be received.its gone.

Call your phone number. After the greeting is finished and you hear the beep to leave a message push 123 on a touch tone phone and you will be given a list of things you can choose to do including listening to messages. 123 is the default security code unless the security code has been changed. Since you dont know how to retrieve messages Im assuming the default security code has never been changed.

If 123 is not the default security code and you dont know what the code is, you can change your code in the setup menu. You get to this by pushing the stop/set button on the answering machine and holding it for a couple of seconds. Since GE doesnt offer a downloadable manual for the 29878GE1 you should probably take a look at the manual for the 29875GE1 which is basically the same model with the addition of a digital message counter. Hope this helps.

Here's the manual:
29869GE2 Digital Answering Machine
You will need to set a security code. When you're away you can call your home phone and enter the code to retrieve your messages. Hope this helps.

have no manual for digital messaging system model 29878ge2

When you first installed your GE Digital Messaging System, you heard the code that was auto set for it. Once you are out and away from home, phone home and during the answering machine promp press # and then the promps will ask you for your 'pass word [code]. Please be careful as messages deleted by you, you may not beable to retrieve them. This machine doesn't run by cassette tapes.
~ hope the above helps.

GE26993 user guide available at http://phone.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/ge_appliances/26993_26994.html

To retrieve a message from another location, dial the telephone number and when the greeting message starts punch in your four digit code. The default code is 0123 if you haven't set one. Follow the prompts to listen to messages.

I had the same problem. In my case my telephone co. told me to dial #55 then my code. Try reading your telephone co. instructions on how to retrieve messages. (not the instructions which came with your GE phone.

If you have not changed the code, it should be set to the default code 1-2-3. Call the phone with the answering machine, and as soon as your greeting starts press 123. You will then hear a menu. Press 1 to retrieve your messages. After listening to your messages, you can listen to the menu again, which will tell you that you can press 0 to delete your messages, among other choices. Cathy