If you post a SCHEMATIC of how you've got your hardware connected, along with the PIC you're using, I'm sure someone on this forum could throw a few lines of code together to write to your LCD and perhaps also flash a confidence LED to prove your hardware is working and post you a HEX with which you could program your PIC. That at least would prove if it's your hardware or software that's causing you grief. Then you could buy PICBasic and become a fully paid-up member... gives you status... people give up their seat for you on the bus... women will want you to kiss their babies (or claim you're the father)... you can run for president... etc etc...