How to record vtech phones messages - Vtech 2460 Answering Machine

This is a very common complaint with the Vtech phones/answering machines. Most people report they just gave up in frustration and bought a different phone. You did not mention if your phone is still in Warranty.
I am assuming you erased all messages that were saved, (from the Base press XDelete, and when it asks Delete All Messages? press XDelete again) and whittled down your Contact list to the very bare minimum, and erased any Text messages.

That means your system is set to "announce" mode, where it plays an outgoing announcement but does not record any incoming messages. The alternative is "record" mode, which plays an outgoing message and then records the incoming message.
Since you didn't specify the model of your VTech system, I can only direct you to enter it into the search box here and download a copy of the manual.

http://www.vtechphones.com/vtechui/support/manual_list.cfm

Follow the instructions on page 24 of this manual.

my parents Doro cordless phone is showing a eep error message after changing the batteries, any ideas?

The VTech 2460 is pretty much the same telephone as the AT&T 2455. Here is a link to the AT&T 2455's User's Guide:

http://telephones.att.com/docMgt/public/art/179/2455_manual.pdf

Information about the answering machine operation begins on page 23/36.

did you set and saved the message which you recorded.it is necessary to save.

I HAVE A VTECH PHONE AND LOST POWER TO IT. AND I'M TRYING TO SET THE ANSWERING MACHINE UP, I CAN'T FIND THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET AND I CAN'T FIND IT ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE A 5.8GHZ VTECH MODEL IA5874 VTC-IA5874-R. I KEEP GETTING THE LETTER (A) ON THE BASE PHONE AND IT WILL NOT RECORD ANY MESSAGES THAT ARE LEFT. I DID WHAT THE MENU SAID TO DO BUT STILL WONT RECORD ANY MESSAGES, NEED HELP TO WHERE I CAN FIND THE INSTRUCTION BOOK OR HOW TO FIX IT. THANK YOU