Well semi fixed

Found out that the issue was being caused by some memory - I had 4 1gb sticks in it and as part of the narrowing it down I
disconnect the HDD - same issue
Shorted out the BIOS (Again) and that let me into the BIOS - was able to disable the backup BIOS that was showing as corrupt
Still would not then boot into windows
Removed some memory and finally got it working - boots into windows

BUT

cannot now get it to connect to the internet (I have Windowns 7) - this is something new
MY connection is

VIRGIN MODEM ---- D LINK Router -- PC
HAve checked the cat 5 cable - that works on this laptop - so its not that
The network lights are showing as Orange and flashing yellow
Device Manager is showing the Network as working

JUst trying a restore to a couple of weeks ago

confused or what

restart the router with the system/s still active and see if the system/s picks up the connection

with 'windows' a restart of the system/s maybe necessary after rebooting the router ...

Never had that with W7. I can reboot the VM router and W7 will pick it up and connect with no interaction from me YMMV of course

Update
Well still not connection to the Router
I do have a green light at the port on the mobo - I re-installed the drivers but W7 is till not picking it up.
In the device manager it shows as working ok

When i switch on the PC the port light on the Router comes on (its a D-LINK 4 port wifi router) so that also (to me anyway) shows that link is ok

I have a feeling that W7 has just had a glitch and so I will have to do re-install

unless someone has a better idea

Well did a re-install of W7 last night - like a repair install)

All went well and during the installation it came up that the .net framework was corrupt - repaired it and as soon that that was done all working again

So have a working PC - didnt seem to loose any data (although ahve it all backed up) but do have 2 dodgy sticks of RAM - now need to find old receipt (from 2005/6) to see if it came with a lifetime warrenty

Can hold off getting a new PC now until SWMBO gets a new job and the Sandybridge Mobo issue is sorted

What brand?

Corsair

From: Corsair Warranty Page

Just done that - although I wonder if the postage to Amsterdam will be more than the cost of 2 x 1Gb 3200 memory modules

Tracking service will be about £7 I reckon, a lot cheaper than trying to by 2Gb DDR I reckon.

Well sent - for £6.80 ish so lets see if they honour the warrenty

Worth a punt for 7 quid.

Well good news

e-mail off Corsair letting me know that they are willing to replace it. They have advised that they don't make that exact model anymore and offered a newer (slightly better timings) as a replacement

have said yes

so await new memory

Result.

they have just mailed to say its been posted and should take 5 working days to get to me