yep I think bad power is exactly what it was and i hate to admit it but I fear it might have been my fault. I bought 2 and got the second one hashing away nicely. I've got 50 chips coming from china this week (it was cheaper to buy 50 rather than 1!) and I've found someone in my town who has the tools to solder it properly for me.
A minor set back before it'll be going again
(i hope). There is one good thing about it though, I know how to wire them now!