Jeremy Cowgar wrote:

> but in all of my code I always get a warning from the assembler
> stating:
> Warning[224] D:\PIC\ASM\FLDCEN2.ASM 53 : Use of this instruction is
> not recommended.

  This is easily and (fairly) permanently fixed.  Just edit the
PIC16C84.INC file (you *are* using a 16C84 are you not?) to include the
following as the fourth line:
        ERRORLEVEL -224

  .. and you'll *never* see that spurious warning message again (unless
perhaps you do a re-install of MPLAB and omit to preserve your updated
files.  Easy and efficient!

> [51]    CLRF    PORTB
> [52]    MOVLW   b'11111111'
> [53]    TRIS    PORTB

  Works perfectly on all PICs, *including* the new ones such as the
16F87x.

> Obviously the TRIS command is what is being complained about, and I
> realize that Microchip says that we should not utilize this command,

  That's in much the same vein as Micro$oft saying you shouldn't use
Linux!

> but when I program that section of code above how Microchip suggests,
> my program acts brain dead, never responding to inputs, never changing
> outputs...

  You forgot to CLEAR RP0 again, that's why!

>         CLRF    PORTB
>         BSF     STATUS, RP0
>         MOVLW   b'11111111'
>         MOVWF   TRISB
          BCF     STATUS, RP0

  Fixed!  But you can see your code is now significantly longer.  I
*really* suggest you use the original code by preference, set the
correction into the include file and totally ignore MChip telling you to
go chase your tail.
--
  Cheers,
        Paul B.