Chris,

you certainly have changed a lot in your code during your bug hunt, maybe its time for an update so we're on the same level.

On your original post, your intention was a serial comm with 9600,8,N,1.
For this you've to set Serial Mode 1 not 3.
e.g. set SCON to 70H or 60H in your initialization sequence.

Maybe i echo sombody, but hey, you easily loose track in over 20 messages...

Good Luck and errm.. Have Fun !

Cheers, Roger