<sup>Is there a way to see if a gamertag is available? It's just that I've got a pretty lame GT at the moment which I'd like to change but I don't want to add 800 credits just for the name I want to be taken.

I usually add the gamertag I want as a friend to check it's availability but I'm pretty sure that doesn't work with XBL as I've done it before, and an apparently non-existant gamertag was already taken.</sup>

simple. just create a new player account on your 360 and go through the steps to get it set up on Live. you will get to the screen to check the gamertag. go through that and see if what you want is still there. once you check, cancel the process and delete the made up account.

Not really related; but how do you change your GT?

you go into your personal settings, go to where it says your name, etc...its easy to find, basically once you get there, you pay 800 MP ($10), and get to check the availability on your new GT.

The easiest way to see if a gamertag is available is by clicking this link. The page that comes up gives you the option to search for a gamertag on xbox.com. If the gamertag doesn't exist, you will get a message saying that the gamertag couldn't be found. If it does exist, then you'll be taken to that gamertags profile.

Much easier that adding friends, buying MS points or creating xbox live accounts.

Just follow the steps shinobi_razor said.

It lets you check the availability before giving you the option to add more points.

Or an even simpler way is to check it on this site. Just type in the gamertag that you want and it will tell you if it is taken or not.

<sup>That website doesn't work, Steel. I typed in Shoot Frank as a gamertag, one which I had tried earlier but was taken yet this website states the gamertag doesn't exist.

It's OK though, as I found out earlier that you don't need to buy points to check a gamertags availabiliy, whoops!</sup>

Hmmm...that's strange. When I try my tag or anyone from my clan, it says it's taken and even tells me what sub they have. But I tried a random one and it said it didn't exist. So for all intents and purposes, it works for me.

Yeah because my cousin has a weird one. He was trying to do AJ with a few numbers and Homlygrownjeans appears. Lol! Why did it do that?

the easiest way to do it is to go to your dashboard, click recover gamertag, type in the one you want, and if it says it doesnt exist, its available

someone i know wanted Maniacs, but ended up with SopranoObject lol.