well now any serial code i put in it works, i moved the "checkserial" routine into the heart of the Matrix display code, which had 2 affects, 1 my display is super dim now because the switching time is too fast for the current to saturate, the leds (power saving perk, lmao) which sucks and is ok at the same time because this will be installed in a room with no windows ao you should still be able to see it, and the second is that every thing from virtuino works to control and display all my values. no out of box thinking required ... just wish i didn't have to trade one thing for another. ...