Checking for 2 unique row contents

Hi all I am trying to create a registration area that uses a nickname and email pair. I need both to be unique. So how do I that either do not already exist then if unique insert into db. So if nickname exist then error = "sorry..." if email exist then error = "sorry..." else must be unique insert. I have been trying for hours know but cant get the twin check to work. Can get single check to work though. I thank you in advance for any thoughts or code examples Dave Carrera Php Developer http://davecarrera.freelancers.net http://www.davecarrera.com