Ron Kreymborg wrote:
>
> Hi PICsters,
>
> I need some help please. I am trying to write the code to drive a standard
> 2-line by 16 character lcd display from first principles (ie from the data
> sheet).


This is probably an industry standard character LCD, based on Hitchi
44780 chip.  There are huge amounts of info on driving these, and sample
code for PIC's.  Try first :

http://www.iaehv.nl/users/pouweha/lcd.htm

and then search for the "LCD FAQ", and look in the piclist archive...