Hi BobK,

I have the same kind of approach as you have. When nothing works = restart from scratch step by step.

Now, to your suggestions, here are my answers:
- Yes, I can easely program all my PICs without any trouble. That's the reason why I built different programmers before I really started programming.

- Yes, I have checked my PICs ( I have 16F84A, 16F88 and 12F675 - actually I'm working with the 16F88) almost as you suggest and everything is fine; the PICs are all okay.

- My code is is the 1st post of this thread and I corrected it according to your informations (DEFINES).

- Mister_e is right; the breadboard my be a source of contact problems and this is why I have made test on my second breadboard too (the BasicStamp Pro Developpement Board).

- Yes, I disconnect MCLR, DATA and CLOCK wires after programming the PIC (see a previous post).

- I use the internal oscillator on pic 16F88 (no external crystal or resonator).

- The fuses look to be set correctly; LPV is disabled.

- In my code, I have made a 1 second pause to let the PIC and the LCD stabilise (may not be mandatory but I thought it would be better so).

Mister_e, your schematic is great. Is your "Program/Run" switch automated (kind of monitoring the signal on MCLR)?

I'm still in the office now and should have a new display waiting for me in my mailbox. I'll give you an update asap. Please wait until I have connected my knew display... I'm confused to see you working on lots of possibilities and me not able to provide reliable informations.