OK I was getting the apparently "normal" error:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING, expecting T_OLD_FUNCTION or T_FUNCTION or T_VAR or '}' in

and checked i have the right PHP setting which i didnt so i fixed that so it is 5.2.5 running now.

Go to the install page and i get:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_VARIABLE, expecting T_FUNCTION in C:\Inetpub\vhosts\notjustanothersite.co.uk\subdomains\Sharon\httpdocs\install.php on line 176

Its a windows hosted site, have used Mambo etc before and everything worked fine, all files are writeable etc.

Code at the line mentioned is:

// Check for GD support
      if(!$this->requireFunction("imagecreatetruecolor", array("PHP Configuration", "GD2 support", "PHP must have GD version 2."))) {
         $this->requireFunction("imagecreate", array("PHP Configuration", "GD2 support", "GD2 support", "GD support for PHP not included."));
      }

If anyone can cast their eagle eye over it i would be most grateful for any help.