Sorry but I am not sure I know what you are talking about, are you suggesting that i change all variable names to lower case? Do you think thats the reason I am having this problem? I will try anything and everything suggested I really want (need) to get these working properly. Thank you

I still get the same results.

I had to reload the sketch into the Atmega 128 chip and when i ran the compile function of the Arduino 21 software the program forced me to delete the following lines, could that have anything to do with it?

const int  FULL =30; const int CHECK = 31; const int A3 = 32; const int TEMP = 33;

  case '<': returnValue = TEMP; break;

  case '*': returnValue = FULL; break;

Here again is a link to the sketch i am using.

http://oomlout.com/8X8M/8X8M-ScrollMessage.txt

Yes, actually I have these running on two 3v 2032 button cell batteries, but if needed i can also hook these up to a 9v battery or even my computer wih a USB cable

Well I got the caps today , hooked them up and still no change, i am totally running out of ideas.

Your right i don't have those two caps hooked up, right now my problem is I don't have any of those caps hear and I can't get to a Radio shack till after X-mas.
Do you think these caps could be substituted with some other value?

Like I mentioned earlier I did not write this code but your suggestion does sound interesting. Could you help me with the coding and where to place it, I am not very confident with my code writing skills (or lack of said skills).  Thank you

Sorry it took so long to get back but i changed all const int to const byte and i still have the same problem. could it be anything else like not using the crystal maybe?

Wow i was not expecting such a quick response, thanks
For the record i did not write this sketch and am unsure how to do as you suggest. I am still in the process of trying to teach myself to write code but i am not very good at it.

I also should mention that the control chip I am using is an Atmega168

Hello everybody, I am in the process of making some small scrolling message ornaments for hanging on my X-mas tree. these work real nice except for after about 5 minutes they stop scrolling and only display half of the first letter then reset to begin the cycle over again of just half of the first letter. I tried to add the sketch to this post but it was too long and I don't know what I am doing so here is a link to the sketch

http://oomlout.com/8X8M/8X8M-ScrollMessage.txt

and with the exception of the 16mhz crystal here is a link to how i have it wired

http://oomlout.com/8X8M/8X8M-Guide.pdf

The only parts I am using are

1   RG display
1   16 mhz crystal
8   100 ohm resistors

 these parts do not get hot or even warm.
If anyone has any suggestions i would greatly appreciate it. I need to get these done before Christmas, Thank you

Hey pluggy,  I am going to go with your suggestion but right now I am sitting here waiting for my ebay resistors to arrive so I can build it. I have read alot about it and believe it should work, hopefully. thanks

Hey Pluggy, This looks like an interesting way to kill an afternoon, will this work and will it work with a Duemilanove

oh yes, i hate getting beaten, i love a good challenge.
it's just i have some things i need to get made before Christmas and i can't devote all my time to something that i might not get working in time. So i will continue working on this problem but i am also going to buy some to get these projects done.

Yes by reprogramming i meant uploading a sketch
no i have never tried to burn a bootloader before these ebay chips, this is my first experiance doing this and i dont find it any fun at all i mught just stick to buying them with the bootloaders already installed, they are a little more expensive but i feel its worth it

No i have tried several times and the arduino wont accept the programs

http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP


go to the bottom of the page , the diagram on the left.

Just a little while ago I installed a working atmega168 chip and had no problem reprogramming it