I got the hardware and software to work perfectly but it was very difficult (I am pretty new at microcontrollers)

My advice to you is to follow the schematic exactly as it reads. Use the resistor values exactly as they show in the schematic, if you do not have the correct values install a variable resistor and measure each value until you have the correct 5V and 12V values.

You can check your hardware with a terminal program, just a few cr's will start the program in the atmel.

I built both the AT89C2051 programmer and the AT89C51 programmer using a MAX232. At least one of the resistor values had to be changed in both of the programmers so the voltages would be right on in the voltage circuit.

In the 2051 programmer I had a bad 74HC373 chip that caused me to pull my hair out until I figured out the problem.

The main problem is the voltages. Double check your voltages as the program tries to read the chip and write the chip. It should switch between 5V and 12V.

Any lower than 11.5 volts or higher than 6 volts and you will have trouble(I Certainly did). You will have to experiment with the resisitor values until you get it right.

I built both the programmers using the single sided pcb
artwork slightly modified in Protel.
Hope this helps.