eric mcnamara wrote:
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the microcontroller got 256k x 8 of internal ram, i guess i am using that !

Are you sure? My data sheet claims 256x8 bits...

the real time clock got 114bytes of nvram and 8k of additional nvram........

As I said your RTC is a memory mapped device. You _will_ need external memory map for access to your RTC. Unless someone else has a neat trick to run the RTC access from an I/O port, say goodbye to port 0 and 2.

i have looked at this schematic from another project, and deffo. the display was just linked to the microcontroller, the lcd we use got on board display drivers.
Beware of cut 'n paste, without decent understanding of what you are copying... This is not supposed to be an exercise in the use CTRL-V and CTRL-C keys...:-)


the microcontroller (89c55wd) got 3 ports, port 3 is used up with read write signals etc, the other 3 ports are free to use at will i think.
I think not... see above


i am only a novice and im sure all ye guys have a wealth of knowledge for me ^^

Some of the people on this forum (not speaking for myself..) certainly do. Fact is that if everything is "given" to you, you will be a novice forever...

rgds
Patrick