Hacktronics 20x4 LCD Ripping my hair out ;repost with complete information.

the darn thing uploaded and started working.

It teaches you two things about debugging:

  1. it pays to think outside of the box: in debugging, you cannot assume. Bugs are rarely where you think they are. Remember that and it will save you lots of frustration.
  2. it pays to get a real programmer / debugger.