Thanks Mike for the reply. Unfortunately that didn't give the proper response. However, the tx light on the RS232 board now stays off until i hit the reset button, and then it flashes once and then goes off again. not sure if this helps but that's the change.
The RS232 has two columns for the Vcc, Rx, Tx, etc. For example, side by side, it has two VCC, two Ground, two Rx, two Tx. Do you think it matters if i'm using the left Rx or the right Rx?
Any other suggestions? Are jumper cables the wrong way to be doing this?
Thanks