Here is come C code for LCD testing.
No main routine only functions you can use to set up and control the lcd. The Delay function is for a 24 MHz crystal. For a more readable code copy and past into a new text file. All of the code except display_alphabet has been tested and seems for work without any problems.



#include "your_header_file"

/* Rename Port 1 pin 7 BF (busy flag) for the LCD */
sbit BF = P1_7;

/* Rename Port 3 pins Control lines for LCD */
sbit RW = P3_5;
sbit RS = P3_6;
sbit E = P3_7;


void waste (unsigned char wastetime)
{
while (wastetime > 0)
{
unsigned char number = 0x00;
for (number = 0; number < 0x01; ++number)
{
++number;
--number;
}
--wastetime;
}
}

/* iDelayTime of 0xff gives an approximate .255 sec delay */
/* iDelayTime of 0x01 gives and approximate 1 ms delay */
void Delay (unsigned char iDelayTime)
{
while (iDelayTime > 0)
{
waste (0x63);
--iDelayTime;
}
}


void wait_LCD (void) /* used to check the check the status of the LCD */
{
RS = 0;
RW = 1;
E = 1;
BF = 1; /* configure BF to read its value */
while (BF)
{
waste (0x0F); /* delay while LCD is busy */
}
E = 0; /* not busy so end the wait */
RW = 0;
}
}

void command_LCD (char byte2send) /* used to send a commands to LCD */
{
RS = 0;
RW = 0;
E = 1;
P1 = byte2send;
E = 0;
}

void display (char char2display) /* used to Display a character on the LCD */
{
RS = 1;
RW = 0;
E = 1;
P1 = char2display;
E = 0;
wait_LCD ();
}

void clear_display (void) /* clear the display of all characters and return cursor to row 1, column 1 */
{
command_LCD (0x01);
wait_LCD ();
}

void return_home (void) /* return cursor to row 1, column 1 (doesn't clear display) */
{
command_LCD (0x02);
wait_LCD;
}

void line_return (void)
{
command_LCD (0x0C0);
wait_LCD;
}

void init_LCD (void) /* initialization by instruction */
{
Delay (0x0ff); /* Delay at least 15ms */
command_LCD (0x30); /* Function set - 8 bit data bus */
Delay (0x05); /* Delay at least 4.1ms */
command_LCD (0x30); /* Function set - 8 bit data bus */
Delay (0x01); /* Delay at least 100us */
command_LCD (0x30); /* Function set - 8 bit data bus */
wait_LCD (); /* BF is now avaible for checking */
command_LCD (0x38); /* N=1 (2 rows) and F=0 (5x8 resolution) */
wait_LCD (); /* Wait for command to be sent */
command_LCD (0x08); /* Display off */
clear_display (): /* clear display */
command_LCD (0x06); /* increment DDRAM address by 1 after read or written to DDRAM I/D=1 S=0 */
wait_LCD (): /* Wait for command to be sent */
clear_display ();
command_LCD (0x0E); /* D=1 (display on) C=1 (cursor on) B=0 (blinking off) */
wait_LCD (); /* Wait for command to be sent */
}

void display_alphabet (void) /* all caps char A - Z */
{
char alpha_ptr = 0x41; /* A */
unsigned char x = 0x00;
for (x = 0; x < 0x10; x++)
{
display (alpha_ptr);
alpha_ptr++;
}
line_return ();
for (x = 0x10; x < 0x1A; x++)
{
display (alpha_ptr)
alpha_ptr++;
}
}