i've contacted support and searched the forums but am confused how to register domains(so i can have private nameservers with 1&1 internet.)
when i change my nameservers to my own domain i get the error
"Subdomains of the original domainname as name servers for the original domainname need a fixed IP! Please refer to the FAQ (keyword: Glue domain)! 1&1 internet."

can anyone walk me through this please?

does their FAQ says anything ?

Host415,

If it is that hard to do such a simple task, find a different registrar...

Do a search in this forum for 1and1 and this may make your mind up.

Kind regards,
Chris

with 1&1 you first need to register the Name Servers for your domain as subdomains to your admin panel.

For example, if you want your custom DNS to be: ns1.domain.com and ns2.domain.com... you first need to add ns1 and ns2 as subdomains for domain.com and assign the IPs your provider gave to you, for ns1 and ns2.

Then, after the new IPs for ns1.domain.com and ns2.domain.com have successfully propagated, you will be able to add custom DNS to domain.com as ns1and ns2.