In VB you'll need to disable the DTR line. Here's a usual COM port setting in VB
Code:
    '   Serial Communication Definition
    '   ===============================
        '
        With MSComm1
            .CommPort = 1                 ' Using COM1
            .Settings = "9600,N,8,1"      ' 9600 bauds, no parity, 8 data bit,
                                          ' 1 stop bit
                                          '
            .Handshaking = comNone        ' no handshaking
            .DTREnable = False            ' disable DTR line.. avoid PIC stuck if using
                                          ' bootloader circuitry
                                          '
            .EOFEnable = False            ' disable EOF event
            .InputMode = comInputModeText ' Get Text from COM port
            .RThreshold = 1               ' amount of character to be receive prior to
                                          ' generate a CommEvent
                                          '
            .InputLen = 0                 ' get the whole string
            .PortOpen = True              ' open COM port
            End With
MCS don't use and disable the DTR line for you.. not Hyperterm (wich i stay far of)