Ok..I am running the 16 mhz resonator on the timer board. The board is functioning and able to send the data to the PC. It's just not able to recieve from the program. Do you think maybe the MAX 232 chip is bad? Everything else checks out good..The port is being pulled low.. I checked all the solder joints, nothing there. So I am thinking maybe the 232 chip has a faulty recieve section. Also, I switched back to the comport board and powered it with USB 5 volts and it gave me the same results..can track the timer but not upload to the pic. I only got one MAX232 chip when I bought my parts..maybe the problem is following the bad chip when I swap it back and forth between the two boards. I'm not sure..I'll look at Rat Shack for another chip.

John