# Need Help with Answering Machine

Category: accessible Devices

## Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 06-Nov-2012 14:29:58

I'm having a very odd problem, and am hoping that someone can help me. I recently got a Panasonic KXT-1520 answering machine. It was working fine until late this morning. For some reason, when I picked up the receiver on my phone, a Western Electric Trimline, there was no dial tone. I thought that, perhaps, it was the phone itself. So I tried connecting to dialup with my computer, and again, I got no tone. Then, I unplugged the main phone cord from the answering machine and the answering machine cord from the phone, putting the original cord back in the phone. It worked! I then checked to see if the machine was unplugged, but that was not the case. It was also turned on, and when I tested the tapes, they worked. Regardless of how I have it set, it should still allow me to use the phone! When I have it configured to use the machine, I hear several people talking, like a radio broadcast, and when I hit the hang-up button on the phone, I don't hear any clicks. The voices just continue, as if the phone itself wasn't plugged in at all. It's also worth mentioning that the answering machine cord is built-in.

## Post 2 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 06-Nov-2012 20:54:59

I just tried another outlet along with a phone cord connected in the kitchen and got the same result. I'm really baffled here. I also forgot to mention that normally, when I talk on my phone, I can hear my voice a bit in the earpiece. But when it's hooked up to the machine now, it doesn't do that. It seems as if the phone isn't connected at all. I have no clue where these radio voices are coming from either. Maybe, something happened to the wires? I can't see how, as I did nothing from the time when I used the phone with it connected and the time when I tried again, and that was only about four hours, but I guess anything is possible.

## Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 06-Nov-2012 21:04:30

I've tried looking for the manual for this model, but can't find it anywhere, even though I have found others. So I can't even try looking in a troubleshooting section. I've also typed in the model and things like no dial tone, but again, no results.

## Post 4 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 07-Nov-2012 7:29:26

This happened to me once with a cordless phone. Can you reset the machine by disconnecting everything and then reconnecting everything including the phone. I wonder if the answering machine is defective or older. A sighted person can look at lights and maybe you can remedy the situation. Good luck. I threw out a cordless phone because I got no dial tone either and the phone was older. My neighbor's went out so bad, all we got when we called her was a busy signal. Hope something here helps; good luck.

## Post 5 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 07-Nov-2012 10:48:19

It's from around 1982, and was just bought for me as a gift. Not only did I disconnect it, but I even used a different electrical outlet, phone jack, and phone cord when I plugged it in and got the same results. Thanks for the advice on lights. I'll have my boyfriend check them when he comes, and also use his meter to see about the phone cord that's built into the machine. His meter can tell if something is getting current, how much it is, etc. I've never seen it work on a phone cord, but there must be some way of telling when these things go bad. Hopefully, if that's the case, he can open the machine and replace the cord. That or I may look around for a place which repairs answering machines. I found one for phones from the 20s through the 80s, so why not?

## Post 6 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 07-Nov-2012 11:38:40

My grandfather had an answering machine like yours, and he could place calls most easily. Your probably hearing people on the line, since the phones back then had the capability of letting you listen to other people on the line. Try calling someone, and see where it gets you.

## Post 7 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 07-Nov-2012 11:54:06

I'll try it, but I really doubt I could call anyone, since I don't even get a dial tone. Prior to this, when the machine was hooked up, I was able to hear one and to call people, without hearing any voices. The odd thing about this is that it started with no reason. At 8 o'clock, it worked fine. Then, I went to sleep for awhile. At 11, when I tried to make a call, it stopped working. I had it plugged in all week with no problems and didn't change anything from 8 till 11.

## Post 8 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 07-Nov-2012 13:51:32

This is odd.

## Post 9 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 08-Nov-2012 23:44:03

During Quicknotes, I was informed that it might be one of the transisters. I then went and found a place that sells parts.
http://www.orderpartstoday.com/model/MSCKXT1520/_/_/Panasonic/KXT1520/
I'm going to ask Spiros to open up the machine and take a look inside, along with testing that built-in phone cord. Then, I'll e-mail the above store and see if they can give me any tips. Hopefully, this will be fixable. It would be a real shame to have to throw it out.

## Post 10 by TechnologyUser2012 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 10-Nov-2012 15:18:34

um, who on earth uses answering machines anymore?

## Post 11 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Saturday, 10-Nov-2012 18:21:23

Lol, that question reminded me of one of the new South Park episodes. It was this year's Halloween special. Basically, Stan's dad, Randy, opened up a video store. Everyone thought it was haunted because no one rents DVD's anymore, supposedly. I suppose one could say the same about landlines. They're quickly becoming obsolete. But honestly, there's nothing wrong with having one, either, so asking why someone would have an answering machine isn't exactly productive.

## Post 12 by b3n (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Saturday, 10-Nov-2012 18:58:50

I thought all of this old technology was super reliable?

## Post 13 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Saturday, 10-Nov-2012 20:11:00

B3N you're right, and those of us who were there and have countered the "super reliable" arguments get discounted because we don't line up with the ideology.
Just like back in the 90s, those of us tech savvy enough to discount the Y2K mythology were discounted by religious fundamentalists who wanted to sell a package and also were hoping for the apocalypse to occur at their appointed time. Unfortunate, but true. The difference between me now and me then is I believe I have learned *finally* that they're not just misinfomred, they actually deluded themselves and like it that way.

## Post 14 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Saturday, 10-Nov-2012 20:31:37

right on, leo and B3N. couldn't have said it better myself.

## Post 15 by rat (star trek rules!) on Saturday, 10-Nov-2012 22:11:29

if you want an answering machine, get one of the new ones that dont rely on tapes. i mean they're not that costly and still work extremely well for those who can't see

## Post 16 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 12-Nov-2012 15:26:27

No technology is perfect. Even things made in Japan, which this was, occasionally break down. But unless it's completely irreparable, I see no reason to throw it out. I also like to be able to record my own voice for greetings, to have one mailbox, if you will, and to not have to deal with menus etc. Admittedly, I've never used a digital answering machine, but I don't see the need to either. Unfortunately, Spiros didn't bring his meter this time, but I told him about the problem and he said he would next weekend. Admittedly, he's not a phone expert, but perhaps, we can at least narrow down the problem. It may be fixable by us, or it may require me to send the thing to a shop. Of course, I'm hoping for the former.

## Post 17 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 22-Nov-2012 11:11:03

Opa! Spiros fixed it! He plugged the answering machine phone cord into the jack on the wall and the phone cord from the phone into the machine! He told me that's what it said on the machine itself. But I had no way of knowing that, of course, and the way I tried it did work a few times. So naturally, I thought it was the right way. I'm just so glad this problem is solved.

## Post 18 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Friday, 23-Nov-2012 15:44:50

I actually have noticed that, in most cases at least, older technology was and still is a lot more reliable than stuff built today. I for one have a fully functional Atari 2600 to give an example from my childhood ad my mom still has a crock pot that's at least thirty years old and still works. So I agree that a lot of the old tech is more reliable than a lot of te newer, though of course that doesn't mean some unitswon't be defective. But I agree with Tiffanitsa on the fact that if the device can be fixed there's no reason to chuck it without at least trying to make the repairs.

## Post 19 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 23-Nov-2012 15:49:34

*smile* That crock pot would go nicely with my coffee maker from 1978, my blender, which I believe is from the 80s, and my stainless steel measuring spoons which are almost 100-years-old. The latter are really special, as they have more than just the usual four spoons, and are rectangles. I adore things for the kitchen, from the modern to the vintage, though naturally, I keep my eye out for the older stuff.

## Post 20 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 23-Nov-2012 16:47:50

My mom has my dad's mom's mixer that she baught when dad was a kid. It still works to this day. Probably baught in the 60's?
I just got a portible Panisonic Reel-to Reel deck fixed that was baught in 1968 by my uncle who just gave it to me.

## Post 21 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 23-Nov-2012 17:23:50

Cool! Yes, I have a mixer from around the same time. I had forgotten about it, since I use it so rarely. I love analogue recording devices, and magnetic tape especially, though I've never seen reel to reel. *smile*

## Post 22 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Friday, 23-Nov-2012 17:58:36

I've never seen reel-to-reel either, although I would like to. I've heard that threading the reels of tape on the player is a delicate process, though. Is it easy to do?

## Post 23 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 23-Nov-2012 22:54:23

Easy enough once you know how.
Its been a while since i've done it though.
Reel to Reel makes the best sounding anolog recording IMO.