Yes I have verified that PMR contains the right value. It contains 0x81 after bit0 is set, this mean the clock is set to divide by 1 and the internal sram is enabled (which is the desired configuration).

The program spits out {HI'0x0'.} which only shows up as HI because the terminal program truncates at the end of a string.

Okay I'm using the serial port at a high error rate for now till I learn to use Timer 2. Right now I'm connecting at 28800bps but the micro is running 27### (sorry forgot the actual number). And yes it's very usable, I have never had a glitch yet

When you say monitor do you mean like the SBCMON? I have written a debug program that allows me to access the ports using serial communication, I guess I could expand this to access SFRs and memory locations.

I guess I don't understand the "no path of retreat to safe ground". What is there a need to retreat from? I've tested as I've built (yes notably except for the SRAM but I didn't decide to use that till later).

As far as the pcb, I've been getting offers on a free pcb made

I did just have an idea of what to try. The interal SRAM can be changed into program memory which can be accessed using the movc command. I need to write up a program to try and access it that way just to test.

Might have time to work this out tomorrow.

Thanks for your concern and suggestions