Answering Machine on My GE Digital Phone???

[deltona_fl]

Sometimes when someone calls me they CAN leave a message on my own GE Ans Mac with 3 mailboxes.....
Sometimes my callers hear a pickup on my end, but then silence....
I've checked my Ans Mac and, NO, there isn't a message.
Sometimes when someone calls it just rings and rings......

I've connected my GE phone directly to MJ (with less than 6ft cable) (got rid of all the faxes / credit card machine)
I've DSL and AM using DSL filters.

Any wisdom? I'm still in my trial era.
Deltona_fl