my phone rings for 3 rings?

You don't say what your phone is nor whether the answering machine is external to it or built-in but here is a generic answer.

Most answer machines have a 'toll saver' feature for when one rings in to pick up one's messages remotely. So if you have messages on the machine it will answer in two to three rings rather than a longer number so check that first. If that is not the case post a NEW question with what the machine is.

t
September 2007