Steve,
Well... do you mean jump over the code that increments it? It usually starts with the same value every time (17166) If I recall. But I just can't see how this is happening.
This is a cut to length program
enter length
enter the # of pcs to cut
it then cycles through feeding and cutting, displaying the count as it goes. This is just a flow for the program section.

after the last data is entered

Loop: lcall keyscan ;keyscan returns
jnz Loop ;zero if no key held
mov counth,#0
mov countl,#0
lcall showstat ;show stats on lcd
... feed and cut loop

If I hold a key down it stays in the Loop, once the key is released it zeros the count.
I know it is executing the mov codes, but the display starts at 17000 something.
There has to be something about being in the bootloader that is doing it. If I burn an 87c51 or 89c52 and put it in the circuit it works fine. Since I started using the RD2 chip is when the problem popped up. I'm still reading the data sheet, I thought it might have something to do with the BSB, but the data sheet says it should be 00H after programming and it is. So...still looking for some help.

Jon