Hi, thanx for your suggestions. This seems to be working perfect now too. For PC to PIC i have a 33K resistor between the serial port and the chip. For PIC to PC i just have the wire going from the chip into the serial port. Nothing else is connected.

I think my biggest problem was the settings for VB's comm control. I did notice that i got a lot of randomness if i touch the serial wires but that isnt affecting anything at the moment.

For now its all good . Finally! lol