Tony,

>I saw only millisecond delays in the spec sheet and in desperation
>wrote delays loops several seconds long.nada
> I suppose I must have damaged something?
>        Thanks  Tony M.

Before you dispair, commit hari-kari, or go out and buy another LCD, there
are somethings that you can do:

1.  Check all your connections.  The first time I did an LCD Project (using
Walt Bank's code), I got nothing (and then noticed that the R/W line was
left floating...

2.  Make sure that what you are doing is pretty simple; ie just try to put
"A" on the LCD.  Don't go for the full implementation right from the start.

3.  Look for documentation; I didn't have a lot of luck with the FAQs on the
internet (a *lot* of problems/errors).  But, the Optrex Data Sheet from
Digi-Key (around $3.00) is pretty accurate (I've only found one
inconsistancy/error so far).  I've never been able to find a Hitatchi Data
Sheet for the 44780 (even from the local Toronto Hitatchi office) - they
seem to treat them like the family jewels.

4.  Even without anything valid, you should be able to turn up the contrast
and see the dots of the characters become visible.  If you don't see this,
look at your power and contrast connections.

5.  You can build a simple, manual controller using a dip switch (with
pull-ups) and a single-shot (ie 74121) and figure out what's the problem
pretty easily.

I've been there; I'm convinced that LCDs are pretty easy to use, just a real
bugger the first time.

Good Luck,

myke

Today, the commercial sector is advancing computer and communication
technology at a breakneck pace.  In 1992, optical fiber was being installed
within the continental U.S. at rates approaching the speed of sound (if
computed as total miles of fiber divided by the number of seconds in the year).

Aviation Week and Space Technology, October 28, 1996