Thanks for your help Kev - problems now resolved .
For some reason it didnt autoupdate me with the rest of em - typical i suppose -
But very nice lady in wales .
has just deleted my modem from the database and put it back into the system manually .. we now have full speed.
PS - If the NTL Tech Support guy who told me to check my speeds using download.com happens to read this thread ... i hope you cringe with embarresment ya freakin noob.
Thx again .. gaz