I checked the waveforms on the scope and the are identical except the one from the inverter is 5V instead of 3.3V. No differences due to slew rate to speak of. I have read on this forum that it is important to read the PIC datasheet, well I just learned a hard lesson. By properly setting the CMCON0 register to allow digital I/O, the program worked like a charm. I found this out after switching the 3.3V input-output with those of the hyperterminal. The HT was then hanging instead of the 3.3V chip. I will read the datasheet more closely next time. I appreciate you taking the time to troubleshoot with me.

onioni