Thanks for the replies shane. I knew the channel 5 stuff and had done that already by using the add channels function to add five and FIVER etc, but interestingly, i couldnt add channels without a valid card inside. The valid card was from my HD box downstairs, and the bedroom box is my old non HD box. However, although the card was valid it displayed the message you mentioned, but i never tried pressing backup to check if i could get sky 1, discovery etc. I will have to try that.
One other question i have is why scy cards are going for twenty odd quid on ebay. Im assuming these are old cards, not working etc, so i cant see why anyone would need such a card if all the freesat channels can be added via the add channels function. Why buy an old sky card?