The first character of display is only showing the last line of dots. If i was to adjust the code to put a _ front of everything to bump it across would this cause any effect else where with the operation of the software, or will it just change the display output. 

I am just testing it out on a non SainSmart display that was keep whilst i await on the new one to replace this to arrive. 

Please see the photos to see what i mean.
   

Thanks
Rhys

Looks to me as if the display is broken. It's not sufficient to shift all strings, this will break the layout since all 16 characters are needed and absolute positions are being used quite extensively. I'd try another display.

Thanks for the swift reply, i have got a new display and nearly working now