Do you have the possibility to test it on a separate (maybe local) installation then, i.e. with all the plugins you use with the same settings? You need to identify the core of your issue more closely. At least it's necessary to know if it's caused by a plugin, Elgg core, some specific settings you have made or if it's maybe just happening on your site but not on another installation even with the same settings.

so basically get the whole site and run it in a test enviroment (A whole backup of the site) and just go crazy lol to debug the issue?

Is it Because there is NO access level on registration form? and so the system is setting private as default because it cannot get the value?

Check out my registration page at http://www.photographyfriends.co.uk to show you the register form...

any hints?

ahar its saving the access id as -1 not 2 I'm thinking this is because of what I said above there is no place to set the access level on the registration form!

nor is setting the var access_id mentioned in either 2 php files (siteaccess and profile_manager) that process the registration....

oh and thats why it works when I click edit profile as the php that handles and displays that has the access_id code to set the var in the database

hmmmmm

Nothing should ever be saved with an access level of -1. It sounds like a custom hack went wrong or you're using a bad plugin.

A single query or two can fix this in your database, but you'd better figure out what is causing this first.

Cash I believe its what i've mentioned above if it doesn't know what to save for the access id then it saves -1 does that sound plausable?