Hi flotulopex,

Open the PBP manual to section 5.39 LCDOUT. One the third page of the LCDOUT explanation is a listing of the DEFINES for setting up a two line LCD display. On the following page is a sample of connecting a LCD to a 16F84A.

I think if you're getting "BLOCKS" to show on your display that the display is okay, it just needs a contrast adjustment. If your PIC is heating up, something has to be either inserted backwards in the breadboard or wired incorrectly. I've built the circuit in the manual and it worked!

It is very possible that your LCD may not be Hitachi 44780 compatible and it needs a different setup configuration.

We haven't heard anything on your level of experience with electronics. PICS do not have the power pins laid out like other ICs where their's are normally 14 or 16 for Vdd and 7 or 8 for Ground. Try sitting back and looking at everything you have hooked up and take your sketches or drawings and follow each and every little connection from point A to point B then check them all again. I can't believe you haven't gotten this problem resolved yet! It has to be something really simple!

We all gone thru this kind of stuff at one point or another so we understand what you might be experiencing. Be patient and you will find it.

BobK