1) Welcome to the Party!
2) As you are obviously new here, I have some suggestions to help us all help you:
When you post, please post your entire configuration including (but not limited to) your installation method (7.X.X?) and vicidial version with build (VERSION: 2.X-XXXx ... BUILD: #####-####).
This IS a requirement for posting along with reading the stickies (at the top of each forum) and the manager's manual (available on EFLO.net, both free and paid versions)
You should also post: Asterisk version, telephony hardware (model number is helpful here), cluster information if you have one, and whether any other software is installed in the box. If your installation method is "manual/from scratch" you must post your operating system with version (and the .iso version from which you installed your original operating system) plus a link to the installation instructions you used. If your installation is "Hosted" list the site name of the host.
If this is a "Cloud" or "Virtual" server, please note the technology involved along with the version of that techology (ie: VMware Server Version 2.0.2). If it is not, merely stating the Motherboard model # and CPU would be helpful.
Similar to This:
Vicibox X.X from .iso | Vicidial X.X.X-XXX Build XXXXXX-XXXX | Asterisk X.X.X | Single Server | No Digium/Sangoma Hardware | No Extra Software After Installation | Intel DG35EC | Core2Quad Q6600
3) "Answering Machine" disposition: Do you mean status "A" or "AA" or "SVYVM"? Have you compared the configuration of "Answering Machine" with one of the other statuses that works as desired under Admin->System Statuses, just to be sure there isn't some simple explanation?
4) MLINAT: That's a feature requirement by whomever paid for this feature to be created. If you don't agree with it, you can of course offer to pay for the feature to be upgraded with a "change all MultiLead linked leads to the same status rather than MLINAT". The Vicidial Group is always available for these requests. Alternately, you could put a request for this feature into the feature request forum or even pay a 3rd party to create this feature for you. But remember that only The Vicidial Group can guarantee immediate inclusion in future versions and "upgrade" compatibiilty, even though where I work is where I would suggest (I'm obviously a bit prejudiced in that regard, lol). That being said, the code is open source and any php/perl programmer can easily make alterations, just warn them that Vicidial is a bit intricate and they should not make any changes that are unnecessary. Try to use the same apparent methods when editing any files, there's a reason for everything. And of course, upgrading will delete what they do and they'll have to do it again so keeping the changes simple is useful for "next time" along with copious notes in the code for what was done and why each change was made.
5) DO NOT use lead recycling for anything beyond it's build purpose: Calling back Busy leads in about 30-45 seconds. Lead Recycling completely overrides all other settings and WILL CALL that number when told to do so. Even if (for instance) you called, they called back, they said "NEVER CALL THIS NUMBER AGAIN! I'LL SUE YOU!" Which presents a problem if your system then waits 10 minutes and calls the client again, which it WILL do with lead recycling. We don't recommend using lead recycling at all. Better to reset your list and generate a new call naturally after all leads have been dialed (dial them all, reset, dial them all again).