Missing domain mystery...

[R David Decker]

Jay Koski <jayk at nwlink.com> wrote in message
news:<Pine.BSF.4.10.9907021620020.90422-100000 at quiveringmeatwheel.desolation
row.com>...
> You can also do this:
>
> dig <domainname>
>
> Check for:
>
> ;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 6
>
> When a domain has been placed on hold, status seems to change to
> NXDOMAIN. This is how I check for domains that have been frozen. I don't
> know how accurate this is, but afaik, it works.

thanks for the tip...

If whois <domainname> shows the domain exists then do 

dig @a.root-servers.net <domainname> 

If status: NXDOMAIN  then the domainname is on hold.. i.e. they need to
pay the registration fee..

If status: NOERROR  then the domainname is ok