Mike,

if you have a problem with your micro, you must decrease degrees of freedom of your system. Degrees of freedom here means: Possible reasons, which could cause the problem.

So, first find out whether the simplest things work. Only then, proceed with testing more complex details. Only by this you will finally find the real origin of mistake.

But if you test a complex system only by changing some parameters here and there in a total arbitrary way, you will probably never find out, what's going on. Or, at least, it will take much much time.

Follow instructions given my Michael. He is a wise developer and you can learn much from him!

Well today my classmate disconnected my Vcc to my RAM chip and my 74LS373 latch, and my program seemed to be working occasionally (ie: I was seeing the correct value on the LEDS that I wrote out and read back in) How can this be? I am baffled. How can I be writing to external ram if my Vcc to my latch and ram are disconnected?

Think about which logic states are present at output of 74LS373, when it's Vcc is switched-off.
To RAM: Most CMOS chips have ESD protection diodes at inputs shunting overvoltages to power supply rails. If a power supply decoupling capacitor is connected to RAM, input signals at address and data lines can charge up decoupling capacitor via protection diodes!
Many years ago, I saw a circuit consisting of 74HCMOS chips. Circuit worked without any supply voltage! Here, also input signals charged up power supply decoupling capacitors via protection diodes at inputs...

Kai