I have a new install of SS2.4 and it all works properly, however when I delete /index.php from the url it gives me a 500 error. When I add index.php back the site works fine. This means that every page has /index.php in front of it, which i need to get rid of.

the site is www.locodesigns.com.au

but you will only be able to see it properly at www.locodesigns.com.au/index.php

Is this something to do with mod_rewrite? and if so how do I fix it on my webserver? Or is it another problem that I will be able to look into? Any ideas anyone?

This usually means mod_rewrite isn't enabled.

You could also ask your host for any logs which may shed light on the 500 server error.

Could you paste in your .htaccess file here?

I had the same problem and my .htaccess file was empty - no content at all.

This thread http://www.silverstripe.org/installing-silverstripe/show/16895 sorted it out, now index.php no longer shows