Serial comunication problem

[synsyn]

Hi,

I have a very silly problem with a my very simply
prog in PBP.

I got a easy circuit with a 16f676 PIC and a IC Maxim 232
all fitted on a breadboard, where I simply send data(string, variables, ecc)
to COM1: on my PC, with Debug instruction at 2400B and using Hyperterminal
on Win-XP.

The problem is the I get back just a lot of garbage on my
screen(unreadable chars) and I can't visualizy any ASCII
code!

I have checked a very lot of times my circuit, changed
the IC, verified the voltage, the pins on RS-232, change
the serial port, the prog in PBP, but it seems is correctly
and all is too simply to be wrong.
I have checked with a LCD if PIC/Prog work and yes it's
work perfectly, but I can't send anything on my PC's
serial port.

Maybe I need to set the RS-232 DTR, DCD, ecc in anyway ?

So please help my to solve it because I think to forget
to do some elementar thing.

Thanks in adavance.

PS:
Forget my english.

[HenrikOlsson]

Hi,
Have you tried changing mode for DEBUG, true vs inverted?

DEFINE DEBUG_MODE 0   'or 1 (I can't remember which one at the moment)

/Henrik.

[kannonballer]

A couple of other things to check are the charge pump capacitors that you are using with your RS-232 chip and your circuit grounds.

[Charlie]

Based on your description, the data is either inverted, or being sent at the wrong speed. Verify setting match in both your code and on the PC, (for example 9600,8,N,1) and then check your clock on the PIC is correct. The speeds specified in PBP are only valid with a certain clock (4 MHz off the top of my head). You should not need to set DTR, or DCD. Final thing to check is that the RS232 cable is connected properly. If you have not crossed TX to RX, sometimes noise with give screens of garbage.

[Charles Linquis]

Also, make certain that Hyperterm is set for Flow Control = None

[ardhuru]

Are you adding the '#' before the variable?

And if you are using the built-in oscillator on the 16F676, are you sure your OSCCAL value is correct?

Regards,

Anand

[synsyn]

Firs one thanks to all for fast answer.
Yes I have checked all things posted and a lot of times.
But nothing work.

Maybe is a problem with a Breadboard thet collect noise ?

I know it hard to say what check, but all seem fine and at
same time nothing work!

I am very confused because I have made a lot o circuit
with PIC in assembler and basic, with motor, with display,
with PWN dimmed ligght, and ever have worked fine,
but now with a silly serial debugging purpose nothing
work.
I am very frustated!