AVRISP MKII AVRDUDE Can't find USB

It prints numbers correctly if I give it the correct base input.

Specifying the correct base is usually a prerequisite for proper behavior.

So somehow it's just not handling the strings I'm trying to feed it properly.

What isn't? What strings?

At this point I have determined that there is a problem somehow with the lcd screen.

Which LCD is that? How is it connected?