yes thats how i had X set up at first, I just had the>> going the wrong way, I can now put it back like that .

on the screen clearing, ive got to stop using clear except when initializing because of LCD flicker, but i should be able to do

LCDOUT $FE, $80, DEC X , " " 'add spaces to cover excess leftover characters

That way all the other data on screen stays wile updateing line 1