never used USART so I'm not really sure what you're talking about. I don't mind switching, but first I want to get this code working, as it should work as it's not my code. then I can start really changing it.

am I using "z" correctly?

it's been so long since I've dealt with picbasic. I've been coding in flash/php for the last 1.5 years.
trying to remember pbp code usage....