I have built my own AT89ISP compatible cable, and never had a problem programming the AT89S8252 (using Atmel AT89ISP software).
Now I am making a new project using the AT89S8253, but when I try to write to the chip, I get the message:

Write failure.
The device could be locked, not initialized, or not connected properly.

As I am using a new IC, there's no chance it could be locked. The VCC source is ok. I've measured the connections between the JTAG connector and the IC pins, and they're ok. I'm using a crystal oscillator, wich I saw on the oscilloscope working fine (a good indication of this is the output clock in the ALE pin, 1/6 the main clock frequency, wich is working fine too). Everything seems to be ok with the hardware.

I found in the datasheet that in order to use the serial programming, using a crystal oscillator, the Oscillator Bypass Fuse (Fuse4) must be off.

As the AT89ISP software isn't communicating with my IC, I'm not able to read the fusebit settings (nothing happens when I press the READ button in the fusebit dialog).

So, to program the AT89S8253 for the first time, will I need to use an external oscillator, instead of a crystal?! So, maybe using the external oscillator I'll be able to burn the fuse, and then use my crystal??! (I'll buy an oscillator to try this anyway).

Please, hhhhheeeelllllllpppppppp!!!!!