hiya - what are the consequences of changing supervisors in terms fo getting otehr sueprvisors to say yes to taking you on, your reputation in teh department, will you still be able to work in that university if you change supervisors?! Ive heard rumors about how bad it is and yet i have just initiated a change.

Well, it seems like you've made up your mind about this and decided to take this step. Therefore I don't think you need to worry about the consequences: of course every action cause a reaction but in your case you have the chance to make a new beginning with a new supervisor. After all, people may try to make life hell and your reputation within the department may suffer for a certain period of time. Nevertheless it is up to you to make an impact in your new relationship with your new supervisor - in other words, if you manager to impress your new supervisor through hard work and committment, the bad reputation may only continue through gossip of a few lost souls who see no other purpose in life than gossiping all the time. They are not important anyway and remember: all you want to do is to complete a PhD, so as long as you manage to do that it is up to you to leave your departement which might shed a bit of hope on your current situation. Respect for your decision, though!