Update COZ I am still hoping you guys can help me somewhere along the line.

Bought the same 2 hard drives that were in the PC...cost £70. Replaced them and no change. Still getting exactly the same messages as i was before.

So its not a corrupt hard drive.

Hopefully new motherboard will arrive soon but I am dreading this as I really am a complete novice and have never done this before. Google is my friend..I hope.

Its a challenge and although I would love to fix the problem, I am hating every MINUTE of this.

I'd try a different CD drive before the motherboard or hard drive.

Does your CD drive connect to your motherboard with this cable?
Same kind of WIRE but its blue..does the colour MAKE any difference?

New motherboard is in the post and will arrive tomorrow.

Should I try a new CD drive FIRST? I really would like to avoid taking the PC to bits if I can avoid it.

Also if I buy a new CD drive does it have to be the same make/model?Make sure that the connector that's the furthest from the middle connector is plugged into the port on the motherboard. Make sure that the other end is plugged into the drive - not the middle connector. You'll notice a small notch on each connector that will let you make sure that you are plugging the cable into the drive the right way (not upside down).

MOTHERBOARD==============NONE=====DRIVEYes it is.