Hi Tom,

what crystal are you using ?

have you DEFINEd it ?
(important for correct baud-rate generation)

DEFINE OSC 8 ' for 8 MHz crystal

connecting the PIC via MAX232 to your PC is actually the right way.

Then you need to Set a "TRUE" Mode because the MAX232 does the inversion for you.

Here some MODEs:

300 Inverted $4CF1 True $0CF1
1200 Inverted $432D True $032D
2400 Inverted $418C True $018C
4800 Inverted $40BC True $00BC
9600 Inverted $4054 True $0054


If you see nothing at all in your hyperterm window do the following tests:

1. Hyterterm, COM-Port, Serial Cable

put a jumper between Pin 2 & Pin 3 of the COM-Port you are intend to use for the communication (connect RX & TX)
Start Hyperterm, and type something on your keyboard.
you should see the characters you typed in your hyperterm window.
If you have enabled the "LOCAL ECHO" option in Hyperterm every character you typed should appear twice, with LOCAL ECHO OFF only once.
(Disconnect the Jumper and see the difference)

If this is OK you can be sure your Hyterterm, COM-Port and Serial Cable is OK.

2. MAX232

a TTL-HIGH Level (+5V) on one of the MAX232 TTL Inputs should give - 10 to 12V on the corresponding RS232 output

a TTL-LOW Level (0V) on one of the MAX232 TTL Inputs should give + 10 to 12V on the corresponding RS232 output

have you connected GND to Pin 5 of the DB9 Connector ?