mister_e Finally got it! I had tried your suggestions as far as renaming the Port variables. Still had the same result.

Looking at the Max7219 Application notes regarding supply biasing they recommend using a filter cap on the +5 side of the rail. This is used to reduce power supply ripple during peak digit driver current. In my case I was driving 32 LED's. I installed a 10uF capacitor right onto the +5V line (not the current resistor line) and all the LED's came on!

Sheesh.. in a way it was probably better that it worked out this way. I got great tips from you and learned a lot more about both IC's in the process. Probably wouldn't even have bothered printing out the 216 page 16F877 datasheet if it wasn't for this blip.

Monitoring the +5V line with a scope I still see transient pulses. I need to add the .1uF cap in parallel with the 10uF. I'll find what the best cap combo is for me and post it up. May save someone some headaches.

Thanks for all the help!
Netjammer-