sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Strange Answering Machine Problem

I am having a problem with a new AT&T digital answering machine, model 1739. The machine will answer, but cuts off before a message can be left. Oddly, the machine worked perfectly when I tried it in someone elses house. Even odder is that I borrowed a Panasonic phone/answering machine (model KX-TG2770)and that works fine on my line.

As background, I have used an AT&T digital stand-alone answering machine on my line for the past 11 years, and it has worked perfectly. About 1 week ago we had some bad storms in our area. Tree branches came down all over, including on our phone lines. Subsequently, there was a terrible noise on our phone line and the answering machine stopped recording calls. The machine would answer, but would cut off before a message could be left. I called our local phone provider (Verizon)and they sent a technician to the house. He did a "pair switch" at a remote location several blocks away from our house, which fixed the noise on the line; however, not the problem with the answering machine. Thinking the answering machine just broke, I bought a new one (AT&T model 1739). The new answering had the same problem - answers, but cuts off before a message can be left. I tried the answering machine in other phone jacks in my home and still had the same problem. I then took the machine to a relatives house (not in our area) and it worked perfectly. I called Verizon back and explained the problem. They checked our phone line and said it was fine, and truthfully, the reception is very clear when speaking on the phone. Verizon told me that the answering machine problem is not their problem since they are not responsible for in-home equipment. I tried to explain that I have been using a machine on this line for the past 11 years, and I also tried a new machine; however, they were less than helpful and flatly refused to provide any assistance or any insights into what could be wrong. The odd thing is I borrowed a Panasonic phone/answering machine system (model KX-TG2770) with a built-in answering machine, and that works fine on my line.

Any insights into what could be causing this problem with the AT&T machine would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bobny

Sounds like it could be a split pair. When you call someone else does the CID look normal?

Whatever the problem is it's a Verizon problem and there is nothing you are going to do about it. There are plenty of other answering machines out there besides that AT&T 1739. I would suggest that you avail your self of one of them and stop beating your head against the wall.

-Hal

As a crusty old BELL SYSTEM Person, I will give you a very terse, but truthful answer:

Your problem didn't start after the storm.

Your problem started January 1, 1984.

And very few people will understand that statement.

However, I do agree with the test that justbill suggested; that is, HOW DOES YOUR CALLER ID LOOK?

Good Luck...

Switch to Digital Phone from the cable company!!

"Switch to Digital Phone from the cable company!!"

To quote Madison Avenue from the '50s:

"Why trade a headache for an upset stomach?"

I'm not sure that any of the utilities deliver decent service of any kind anymore. If you're lucky enough to have service that works - rejoice.

And I'm with Hal on this - Don't aggravate yourself over an answering machine.

Sam

Thanks for all the responses. When I receive calls, the caller ID seems to work fine. On outgoing calls, it never showed the ID of the person I am calling, even before the problem started.

I agree its not worth getting aggravated over an answering machine; its just frustrating that you pay for a service and don't get what you pay for.

Bobny

Bobny, Not on your caller ID. What do those you call see from you on their CID. That may tell you if you have a split pair or not. I agree it's going to be a telco issue if one brand works and another doesn't, but there are still a few things you can do to prove the trouble.

could be the answering machine ,the panasonic worked on your line but did you try the ATT on another line

A out of box defect is not unusual on consumer grade electronics (its cheaper to take returns than do good Q&A)

Skip, elswhere Bobny says he tested it at a relatives house and it worked fine, as did the original. Bobny, do you by ANY chance have DSL? And have you disconnected ALL other devices, Phones, modems, fax machines, alarm system(s) and tested the answering machine? John C. (Not Garand)