Hi eric,

I had been seeing your messages, which are mainly for the issues which are already been given info. at the tutorials.
For serial port usage, see the tutorials at 8052.com and print them out for future reference.

Believe me, I started 8051 subject just 3 months back, and now I am able to write my projects comfortably as far as basics are concerned.
These tutorials helped me alot, and the most important is, it will save you a lot of time. Plus if you can get some good books, so you will learn fast as well as they will be very good reference for your future use.

I hope you would not mind, just suggestions from a fellow..

Goodluck

Rauf