Can’t create Microsoft account

Hello.

I was referred here by a chat agent at gethelp.live.com.

I am trying to create a Microsoft Account using an existing e-mail address. However, when I try to create the account at account.live.com, I am being told the address I want to use isn't available.

Thinking that I had already created a Microsoft account using that e-mail and forgotten about it, I tried recovering the password to an account with my e-mail. However, when I enter provide that same e-mail, I get an error saying "The Microsoft Account is incorrect", which would seem to suggest no account exists using that e-mail.

So one one hand, I can't create a new account with the e-mail address, and on the other, there is no existing account for me to recover.

As you can imagine, I'm somewhat confused about this.

Can you assist me?

Thanks.

Joe