I haven't updated this thread in a while but regular visitors will know that I have not stopped adding good expired domains on my blog at:
www.Vohio.com
Just put up a new list today.
Among the names are some great ones like:
LogoBanners.net
Childrens-Day.net
TheNetMarketer.com
LocalXpress.com
All free to register. You can see them all at
www.Vohio.com
Indoman: In reply to your question, you can use various online tools like the ones at iwebtools.com or
www.DomainName-Search.com to see if sites are indexed or not. Or if they are banned.