Ooma Forums

I didn't see this problem/topic posted, (but I also didn't scan through all 54 pages of postings either), so I apologize in advance if it has been posted and answered.
I've had the Telo device for about 2 weeks now. I am using it with a Uniden "PowerMax" cordless telephone system, model DCT648-4, which is about 5 years old, consisting of a base unit with a built in answering machine, which plugs into the Ooma. When I first set everything up, the answering machine built into the Uniden base was "intercepting" the VMs and they were not making it to the Telo. This was fine with me, so I left it the way it was. But now, just within the past several days, it appears that they are still being intercepted by the answering machine but they are actually going to the Telo device. When I say it "appears" that they are still being intercepted by the answering machine, I mean that the light on the Uniden base blinks indicated there is a pending VM. However, when I press play on the base to play the VMs, nothing happens. I have to press the play button on the Telo to hear the VMs. The odd thing is that if the VMs are now getting "transferred" to the Telo device, the play button on it that is suppose to blink orange when there is a new VM does not do so. I really don't want the VMs going to the Telo, but I also don't want to disable VM on the Telo device because I may want to use it one of these days. My understanding from reading the posts on this forum is that if you request that VM be disabled or removed, it is permanent and cannot be done temporarily. I did see where some people suggested setting the number of rings for Ooma at 59, which will force the phone's answering machine to pick up before the Telo does. But, if the VMs are no longer being "intercepted" by the answering machine, won't the phone ring 59 times before the Telo VM picks up?

Sorry, I meant 59 seconds, not 59 times in my original post.

if you set the rings to 59 seconds, the answering machine would take the message (before the ooma), but *IF* you are are on a phone call and you get another call that you DON'T answer (on call waiting), your answering machine would never get the call, so it would go to Ooma voice mail.

Ooma voice mail does send the signal to flash the light on many after market telephones to show there is a voice mail. Ooma's voice mail is actually pretty good. You might consider just using it?

I prefer to use both because I don't have any phone at all connected to my Ooma base which is in an un-handy place:

I have whole house phone jacks activated so here is my setup.

I have my Panasonic base with answering machine set to 4 rings with the usual "leave a message" recording. This Panasonic base is in my kitchen for convenience. When I walk in, I can see the blinking light and it is handy to listen to the messages right away in the kitchen.

I have my Ooma answering set to 6 rings with a message like this "Sorry, I'm on another call right now, I'll call you right back"

Here is why I did this and it works wonderful for me. If I am on a phone call and I get a flash, I can look at the caller ID to see who it is. If I decide not to pick up the flash and just continue chatting, the calling person will get my Ooma answering message and they will know that I'm on the phone but will call them when I'm done with my conversation.

When I end my call, I simply call the 'person who caused the flash that I did not pick up.

Donna

Thanks to both Hollywood and Leeway for your suggestions.