I was trying to register a new domain name at Powerpipe and it said it's available. But when I checked the name at other registrars, the name wasn't available and it expired on May 2, 2002. What will happen if I register the domain at Powerpipe? Thanks for your help in advance.

The Powerpipe whois that you use when checking only checks against any updates Powerpipe has made to its whois. On the other hand, when you try to register, it checks against the registry, so it just doesn't go through. I find this quite common with many of the registrars.

Whois databases are not authoritative for whether a domain is available to be registered or not.

The only way to know for sure is to ask the Registry. This is done when you actually attempt to register a domain.

Many systems - including the standard systems from OpenSRS resellers - let you test for a domain without committing to register it.

-t

Usually Register.com queries the Registry; also GoDaddy.com and Stargate.