Ok here is the setup

Pic basic pro
PIC16F877A via ICSP

I have a 5vdc board but i have an RF section which requires 3.3v this RF section has an output logic of 3.3v connected to ports A0 - A4 ... the problem i am having is ports A0 - A3 which are TTL. Porta.4 which is an Schmitt trigger input reads the low voltage just fine its the other ports that i get no response with..

do i have to do a special config for these 4 ports?

Setting the TRISA register has no effect.

is there another register i am missing?

Thanks