Fixed my arduino program accordingly, also coincidentally i did change to using the data received handler as i got some similar advice from a colleague, my new VB code is listed below:
Imports System.IO
Imports System.IO.Ports
Imports System.Threading
Imports System.ComponentModel
Public Class Form1
Private Sub spu_DataReceived(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.IO.Ports.SerialDataReceivedEventArgs) Handles spu.DataReceived
'Opens port
spu.Open()
'Defines data holder as string, and moves in serial data
Dim indata As String = spu.ReadExisting()
'Displays string in textbox
tbxSerial.Text = indata
End Sub
Private Sub btnExit_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnExit.Click
'Closes program
Me.Close()
End Sub
End Class
Still no serial data, also not sure if im supposed to loop my read/write function or if thats done automatically, or if i need to open the port or if thats done simply by placing the component. Note: i have a serial port component layed out with all the same specs i listed before, and i named it as "spu".
Also tried without the serial port component, and still no luck:
Imports System.IO
Imports System.IO.Ports
Imports System.Threading
Public Class Form1
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
'Defines port
Dim spu As New SerialPort("COM6")
'Sets port details
spu.BaudRate = 115200
spu.Parity = Parity.None
spu.StopBits = StopBits.One
spu.DataBits = 8
spu.Handshake = Handshake.None
'Opens port
spu.Open()
End Sub
Private Sub spu_DataReceived(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As SerialDataReceivedEventArgs) Handles spu.DataReceived
'Moves data into string holder
Dim indata As String = spu.ReadExisting()
'Moves string from holder into textbox
tbxSerial.Text = indata
End Sub
Private Sub btnExit_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnExit.Click
'Closes program
Me.Close()
End Sub
End Class