As Ingvar pointed out HSERIN & HSEROUT (always require the max232 or equivalent). It's really not optional. These commands use a fixed mode, and you cannot switch to inverted mode which is what your PC is expecting to see.

It doesn't matter which terminal program you use. Your PC will always send & expect to receive serial data inverted.

TIP: Do not use "open" baud mode since this leaves the serial pins floating. Use driven, inverted and whatever baud rate your oscillator will support for any direct serial connection to your PC.

Direct connection to PC serial port - driven, inverted.
HSERIN/HSEROUT - through a max232 or similar inverting circuit.
PIC through max232 using non USART pins - Driven, true.

It's important to understand & use the proper modes (true or inverted) & hardware so your serial equipment is going to see the "idle" logic states during idle periods, start & stop bits, and data is in the proper format when sent & received.