Hi All!

Okay so somehow I am managing to compromise the MAX232AEPE+ so it does not work correctly.
By not working correctly I mean I get an ICD Connection Timeout.

I have my main breadboard with the MAX232, DB-9 connector, and a 5V DC regulator.
Then I have a separate board (the sound project board) which also has its own 5V DC regulator.
The sound project board requires both 12V and 5V.
Both the breadboard and project board are operating from the same 12V source.

I am using the 16F628A PIC to turn on and off some NPN (2N3904) transistors which provide a ground to the sound module pins.
None of the pins for the PIC read more than 5V with no PIC installed so I know I am not back feeding 12V into the PIC.
The reason some pins will read 5V is there are some 10K pull up resistors.

So the basic question is how does one prevent injury to the MAX232AEPE+?

Thanks, Ed