My computer won't talk to a serial modem anymore... and it won't echo its own data from Tx to Rx either...
That explains it!

Then a new question pops up... How was the serial JDM2 programmer verifying the PIC's contents? (I know the PIC was being programmed successfully too!)

Anyway, I'll get my hands on a new set of serial ports tomorrow

Skimask and Paul, thankyou so much for your help so far! I've learnt alot even though the ideas havn't solved my problem! Thanks again!