I know whats meant to happen - managed to get my mates one done last week!! it doesnt even get to the first disk swap!!

could it be slightly dirty contacts on the mobo/pogopins??

UPDATE - after getting mightily pissed off with it, I brought it round to a mates house, whereby it proceded to boot and install all the software fine!! didnt change anything at all, it just worked!! all very very odd!!!

thanx to all those who tried to help!!

btw, The X-Cuter Pro (NEW - all versions) (as seen at www.playstationchips.co.uk) - are these any good?? are they hard to wire up?? do they come with a bios installed??

if not, any recommendations as to other chips?? I need it to work with all versions, as I have a few mates that want their box's done, but they have all the versions available between them!!