Answering machine Model 25865. Is there any way to turn the answering machine "on" remotely. Example: while away, electrical storm causes machine to turn off. Is there any way to remotely turn it back on?

Since you neglected to specify the model of your GE system I can only suggest you select it from this list to download a copy of the manual.

Appears that electrical storm may have toasted the electronics. Check manual carefully for directions regarding activating/setting up mail box. U might also want to contact ATT for support with their phone.

give exact vtech model then i will assit you locate its user manual.
thanks for using fixya

Remote access away from home first you must enter the PIN code: 1) Enter the Answer Setup menu, and then the Security Code submenu 2) Enter a two-digit PIN code (01-99) using the number keypad (0-9). 3)Press OK
You can operate your answering system from a remote location using any touch-tone telephone. 1) Call your telephone number and wait for the system to answer. If the answering system is off, it will answer after about 10 rings and sounds a series of beeps. 2) During the greeting message (or a series of beeps when the answering system is off), press 0 and enter your PIN code within 2 seconds 3)listen to the instructions from there (to play incoming messages, press zero-two)

Pick the model of your phone from the list at
http://uniden.com/index/manuals_results.cfm?cat=1

Regarding your model number TRU9485-3 5.8 Uniden phone, you can easily access your answering machine remotely by following these simple instructions from the official Uniden web site. Click the PDF user's manual link below.
http://www.uniden.com/pdf/TRU9485-3om.pdf
Once there, look on the left-hand side of the page and scroll down to where it says, "Remotely Operating Your Answering Machine" and click.
I hope this helps you!
- CBR2009

Select your model from the page below to download the manual:

Index to Telephone Answering Devices

It takes a lot of patience; however pursue an AT&T telephone number that is manned by a live person; then follow a trail of phone numbers until one of them connects with a helpfull live person who is familiar with the problem and who then furnishes a very simple solution.

Here is a link to the pdf format owners manual from Uniden for this phone:

http://www.uniden.com/pdf/TRU8885om.pdf

Remote Operation
You can check, play, or delete messages, even record a new greeting message from a
remote location (when you are away from home, or from another room using a
handset). Additionally, you can turn on or off your answering system remotely.
Remote access away from home
You can operate your answering system from a remote location using any touchtone
telephone.
1) Call your telephone number and wait for the system to answer. If the answering
system is off, it will answer after about 10 rings and sounds a series of beeps.
2) During the greeting message (or a series of beeps when the answering system is
off), press 0 and enter your PIN code within 2 seconds (see "Setting a PIN Code"
on page 25).
3) The answering system announces the current time and the number of messages
stored in memory. You hear "To play incoming messages, press zero-two. For
help, press one-zero." You will hear a beep.
4) Enter a command within 15 seconds, each command there after must be entered
within 2 seconds. You may select a command from the following chart:
* For the Repeat a Message function, press 0 then 1 within about four seconds to
repeat the previous message, or press 0 then 1 after about four seconds to repeat
the current message.
**For the Memo Record and Greeting Message Record functions, the first time you
enter the corresponding command, the phone starts recording. If you want to
stop the recording, press 0 then 7, 8 or 5.
5) After the command has finished, you hear intermittent beeps indicating that the
system is in the command waiting mode. You may enter another command at this
time from the chart above.
6) When you are finished, hang up to exit the system. The answering system
automatically returns to standby.

Command Function Command Function
0 then 1 Repeat a Message* 0 then 6 Answering System On
0 then 2 Playing incoming Messages 0 then 7 Memo Record/Stop**
0 then 3 Skipping a Message 0 then 8 Greeting Message Record/Stop**
0 then 4 Deleting a Message 0 then 9 Answer System Off
0 then 5 Stop Operation 1 then 0 Help

On my Uniden (not sure the model) I press 0 during the outgoing message and then my 4-digit pin.